Digitally led handcrafted furniture and homeware brand The Cotswold Company has announced a trading update for the 52-week period to 28th February 2025.
The group says it significantly outperformed the broader home and furniture category, "reflecting the strength of its brand and product proposition, omnichannel model, and successful investments in operations and marketing".
Sales were up +19% YoY to £100.2m, with ecommerce sales up +14% (representing 78% of total sales). Showroom sales were up +45%, representing 22% of total sales, driven by new openings in Stamford and Marlow, the roll-out of new in-store services such as upholstery hubs, and the continued success of geo-targeted marketing campaigns, states the retailer.
The year saw the evolution of the retailer's omnichannel model with successful launches on Next.co.uk and John Lewis (online and in-store at Peter Jones, Chelsea), while EBITDA was up significantly (+156%) to £9.2m, driven by sales growth and cost-efficient marketing and customer acquisition.
The period also saw a +20% increase in active customers – a +32% increase over the last two years.
At a product level, The Cotswold Company saw a +41% increase in oak furniture sales, driven by the expansion of new lines. In addition, upholstery orders increased by +86%, reflecting the successful roll-out of showroom upholstery hubs, which offer customers greater opportunities to browse The Cotswold Company’s upholstery styles, sizes, fabric choices, cushion linings and leg finishes.
Sales of the Group’s Inglesham range, made with solid oak with a white-wash finish applied to enhance the grain in the timber, grew by +143%.
The Cotswold Company also secured B-Corp status, and launched online for customers in Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, the group has also invested in its operational infrastructure with the launch of its new delivery centre in Swindon and fleet of vehicles – expanding its UK reach and delivery availability – and the introduction of Cotswold Home Delivery Academy, which provides opportunities for its delivery staff to learn how to navigate tight spaces confidently, bends in staircases and different floor types.
Building on its strategic progress in FY25, The Cotswold Company says it has continued its momentum in FY26 and is trading in line with expectations, with continued double-digit growth against the prior year.
Over recent weeks, it opened its 13th showroom in Harpenden and 14th in Knutsford.
This year, the group plans to open additional showrooms as part of its UK expansion plans.
CEO Ralph Tucker says: “This is a milestone year for all at The Cotswold Company. I want to thank our teams for their hard work and commitment, which have helped us to significantly outperform the market, deliver strong profitable growth, and complete several important strategic milestones.
"More and more customers are moving from ‘throwaway’ furniture to high-quality, made-to-last products that can be passed down for generations and add quality design and character to a home. Through the strength of our brand, the broad appeal of new products that champion our commitment to quality craftsmanship, and the success of our national marketing initiatives, we continue to both benefit from and drive this change.
"This year, we strategically pivoted to a truly omnichannel model with the commencement of significant partnerships with John Lewis and Next.co.uk. This move, along with our strong brand and operational excellence, puts The Cotswold Company in a strong position to deliver further significant profitable growth and strengthen its position as one of the UK’s most loved handcrafted homeware brands.”
