The Hut Group’s annual sales soar on back of acquisition drive

Annual sales have soared at The Hut Group over the past year on the back of its continued acquisition drive.

The digital retail group, which owns brands such as Glossybox, Coggles, Illamasqua and Skinstore, has reported a 24% surge in sales to £916m for the year to 31 December 2018, up from £736m a year earlier.

The group, which specialises in health, fashion and well-being brands, saw earnings before tax and interest jump 31% to £91m during the year.

Sales growth was driven by around £180m worth of investments, including a number of major acquisitions.

It spent £82m on strategic acquisitions in 2018, snapping up language technology business Language Connect, beauty research business Acheson & Acheson and eye cosmetic brand Eyeko.

It also pumped £98m of capital investment into technology and infrastructure projects over the period.

During the year, The Hut Group created around 1,500 jobs, largely in the North West, taking its total global workforce to more than 5,000 staff.

The business, which was founded in 2004, announced its first bricks-and-mortar site at the end of June as it continues to boost its profile.

Matthew Moulding, founder and chief executive officer of the group, said: “This has been another landmark year for The Hut Group.

“Our strategic investments to develop our technology, infrastructure, brands and people, have delivered exceptional global growth with 66% of our sales achieved internationally.”

The company has also pledged £760m investment in the North West of England with the construction of a custom-built headquarters near Manchester Airport. Work started at the site earlier this year.