Very sees fashion revenue decline in 'tough market'

The Very Group's latest interim results for the 39 weeks ending 28 March 2026 revealed that retail revenue from its flagship brand, Very, grew 0.1% year-on-year to £1 billion.

Very's fashion and sports segment declined 4.5% in a "tough market", although the retailer highlights that it saw 7.5% growth in its sports offering, as its broad sportswear assortment has proven "popular with customers".

Its toys and beauty category, which the group described as strategically important, continued to "perform well", delivering 3% year-on-year growth, with a 4.3% increase in fragrance sales.

Overall, the group, which also includes The Very Group's financial services offering, recorded a 0.3% increase in revenue to £1.6 billion, a performance which it described as resilient despite "ongoing challenges in the market".

Group retail sales, including revenue from its Littlewoods and Very Ireland brands, saw a decline of 1.6% to £1.2 billion.

The company recorded pre-exceptional items EBITDA of £218.6 million in the period, an increase of £3.7 million or 1.7% year-on-year. The group says this is due to improved margins.

It expects full-year pre-exceptional EBITDA to be in the range of £310-£320 million.

In April, the group confirmed the permanent appointment of Edward Fry as its Chief Financial Officer.

At the beginning of the year, the new owner of The Very Group, Carlyle, was preparing to launch a £2 billion auction of the business just months after taking control.