Sales and profits up at Kurt Geiger

Premium footwear and accessories retailer Kurt Geiger has posted group revenue up 12% to £330m in the 12 months to 28 January 2017 with EBITDA up 11% at £33.9m.

Online sales were particularly strong and increased by 26% and now account for almost a quarter (23%) of overall sales. In terms of categories women's fashion trainer sales were strong, growing by 48%, while women's accessories were up by 18%.

Chief executive Neil Clifford said that business was now looking to explore new, global opportunities, and will be investing in both its brands and its people, having increased headcount by 11% in the past year to 2,291.

"Kurt Geiger is a fashion forward-looking business, and we are ambitious for this company's future, its people and its partners. It is important that we invest, innovate and evolve dynamically to do what we do better, and to broaden our ranges and strengthen our appeal to customers across countries and age demographics," he said.

The business has also appointed five new board members recently, including buying and supply chain director Michelle Ryan, formerly of Jimmy Choo and Burberry, and Steven Sousa formerly of Michael Kors. Clifford said the new board members will being new leadership and a wide range of retail experience to the group.

Kurt Geiger was founded on London's Bond Street in 1963 and now operates more than 60 stores and 200 department store concessions.