FatFace reports 22% rise in sales during Christmas period
British lifestyle clothing and accessories retailer FatFace has reported a 22% year-on-year rise in sales over the Christmas season, covering the five-week period to 1 January 2022.
Sales for the five week period rose by 3% compared with the same period in 2019, and 22% up on 2020, when many of its stores were forced into lockdown.
Online sales at the lifestyle brand increased 21% compared to the previous year, and 62% up from 2019, driven by an average order value increase of 14%.
Sales at the company in the six month period to 27 November 2021 increased 4% to £125 million. The company reported that 38% of its sales were online versus 25% two years ago - an increase of 13%.
Will Crumbie, CEO of FatFace, said: "I’m delighted to be reporting an excellent set of Christmas trading results and I’d like to extend my thanks to all FatFace crew for their hard work throughout the peak period.
"Looking back at our performance in the first half of the financial year, our focus on digital transformation supported by a highly productive store estate drove positive growth across the business with profitability returning to more normalised levels. Internationally, our US business continued to grow strongly and gives us a great platform for future growth.
"As we look ahead, we will continue to execute our digital first strategy. We are on track and momentum is with us - we have a fantastic brand, a strong ESG agenda, and product ranges for the whole family to live life in."
Crumbie was appointed CEO when previous chief executive Liz Evans left in September to join Asda’s George clothing business as managing director.
During the year, the Hampshire-based company began selling on the Marks & Spencer website as part of the retailer’s strategy of selling third-party brands. FatFace was subject to a ransomware attack in January 2021, and paid a two million dollars ransom to Conti cyber criminals to unlock encrypted data.
The company confirmed that is remains on track to meet its 2025 sustainability targets, with two key milestones already achieved, as 100% cotton is now being sourced from sustainable sources and carbon neutrality has been reached across emission types 1 and 2.
