Online growth sees sales leap at fashion firm Quiz Clothing

● Rise in internet customers fuels 30% turnover jump ● Glasgow-based group also plans UK store expansion

Strong growth in online customers and a continued push into overseas markets has helped Scottish fashion chain Quiz Clothing significantly increase full-year sales and profits.

The Glasgow-based chain said its online division had seen “exceptionally strong” growth of 158 per cent in the year to 31 March, ahead of the board’s initial expectations for the period.

The company said heavy investment in marketing had helped raise awareness of the brand to drive sales across its own website and through third-party vendors. Active online customers increased by 87 per cent to 370,000 and website traffic increased 68 per cent year-on-year.

Overall group revenue increased by 30 per cent to £116.4 million with underlying profit before tax of £9.8m, 20 per cent higher, although after the impact of one-off costs was taken into account profits rose by a more modest 5 per cent to £8.5m.

As well as online sales the company said it enjoyed strong growth in international markets and across its UK stores. It expects to open between five and seven new UK stores in the year ahead.

Founder and chief executive Tarak Ramzan, said the group’s approach across online, physical stores and international expansion had delivered a “very good performance”.

“Quiz is continuing to grow its reputation as a leading fastfashion brand known for fantastic value and quality,” he said.

Although he said the trading environment is expected to remain challenging in the UK with pressures on consumer spending and costs, Ramzan said Quiz was well-placed for further growth.

“With our attractive customer offer, well-invested infrastructure and omni-channel business model with the flexibility to increase investment in higher return areas, Quiz is well positioned to deliver strong growth in the year ahead in-line with the board’s expectations.”

Underlying operating costs increased by 32 per cent to £63.5m due in part to increased staffing across buying, merchandising, marketing and IT teams. Marketing spend more than doubled to £2.5m.

During the year the company launched a local language website in Spain alongside the openingofthreespanishstandalone stores, its first outside the UK and Ireland

It also made its first direct US sales through department store outlets with a dedicated website launched at the end of the year.

Quiz opened new franchises in Dubai, UAE and Morocco in the year, bringing the total number of international outlets to 78 and it said it continues to review opportunities for further international expansion.