Sweaty Betty growth driven by trend for healthier living

Women's premium sportswear retailer Sweaty Betty achieved a 16.3% increase in sales in 2016 thanks to the growing trend towards healthier living.

The London-based brand's co-founder told the Evening Standard that the health and fitness movement had insulated the brand from challenging retail conditions. "The UK has been a tough retail market in 2017, but we have benefited from the increasing popularity of healthy living,” he said.

Sales to 25 December 2016 were up 16% to £40.6m while pre-tax profit was up from £272,617 to £509,145. The brand operates 60 stores, mostly in the UK, but it also has 13 stores in the US in locations such as New York, the Hamptons and San Francisco.

Hill-Norton, who co-founded the business with wife Tamara in 1998, said more stores were planned in London. It recently moved into a new London flagship store at number 1 Carnaby Street, dubbed No 1 Carnaby, which also stages fitness classes and is home to a cafe and blow dry bar.