UK outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse delivered a fourth year of record results, with sales growing by 28.7%.
The firm said the performance, despite the tough UK retail environment and unpredictable weather, demonstrated the resilience of its business model.
Sales were up 28.7% to £141.4 million, like-for-like sales were up 19.3% and online sales rose 47% and now account for 20% of revenue. A fifth of all sales are now derived from international operations.
Pre-tax profits were up 36% at £16.2m, with both stores and online operations – “bricks and clicks” – delivering growth.
From a single shop in Swindon the company has grown in 20 years to over 240 stores employing more than 2,000 people.
Its 23 Scottish outlets include Dundee, Dunfermline, Perth and Pitlochry. It opened 40 stores last year and plans to open another 40 in 2016/17, half of them overseas, creating another 400 jobs. Foreign outlets include North America, Ireland and Germany.
Mountain Warehouse sells more than 12 million items a year from jackets and fleeces to rucksacks and sleeping bags. It also sells items for running and cycling.
The firm said it weather-proofed its business, by widening its offer to include more summer ranges, particularly for children.
Founder and chief executive Mark Neale said: “The past year has been a tough one for the UK retail sector and our performance vindicates the hard work we have done to ensure we give customers the right products at the right price both online and in store.”
He added: “There would have been a time when I was terrified by a hot, sunny day. But we have worked very hard to weather-proof the business, ensuring that we have great products come sunshine or snow, hail or heat wave.”
The popularity of children’s ranges had been helped by the launch of the new range designed with adventurer Steve Backshall.
