With the specter of former JD Sports ownership firmly in the rearview mirror, Footasylum CEO David Pujolar is reporting the UK-based footwear and apparel retailer “delivered record results” in the fiscal 2025 year ended January 2025. Pujolar called it a “truly standout performance” and hinted that the strong growth is continuing into the 2026 fiscal year.

Fiscal 2025 sales increased 9.4 percent to £349.5 million, with store sales up 3 percent to £172.6 million and e-commerce sales up 6 percent to £143.1 million for the year. Exclusive brand sales were said to be up 101 percent to £33.7 million and accounted for 10 percent of Group revenue, compared to 5 percent of Group revenue in fiscal 2024. The exclusive brands’ sales include Monterrain, Alpyrex and Celebre.

Underlying EBITDA was up 26 percent to £28.2 million in fiscal 2025.

Operating profit rose 108 percent to £21.7 million, pre-tax profit jumped 188 percent to £17.2 million, and net profit surged 625 percent to £19.9 million year-over-year.

Pujolar said the results reflect progress across all areas of the business, from store expansion and the growth of exclusive brands to the continued success of the retailer’s omnichannel model and its focus on first-class customer service.

Total sales for the first 21 weeks of fiscal 2026 are up 10.5 percent year-over-year and are reportedly “tracking slightly ahead of plan.” The gross margin is also reportedly ahead of both fiscal 2025 and of the fiscal 2026 plan, while like-for-like retail sales are up 6 percent, driven by a strong performance from Footasylum exclusive brands, which were reportedly up 17 percent year-over-year for the 21-week YTD period.

Drapers reported that Footasylum plans six additional UK openings for calendar year 2025, following its new store in New Square, West Bromwich, in June 2025. A store in Parc Trostre, Llanelli, Wales, is set to open in August. More stores are reportedly set to arrive in calendar 2026, including an upsized space in the Leeds Trinity Centre, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter. Plans also include international expansion in the medium term.

CFO Nick Scott told The Independent that the company’s successful store opening and upsizing program, based on the blueprint of its Oxford Street flagship, continues to drive momentum.

“The refinancing of our £35 million revolving credit facility gives us the headroom to invest confidently in bigger-and-better stores, but also in our digital-first customer journey and newer categories such as junior-wear, which is already delivering standout results,” the CFO shared. “The backing from Aurelius has been instrumental in helping us move quickly and decisively, and their ongoing support remains a key driver of our transformation from traditional retailer to a multifaceted group with various sales channels.”

JD Sports Fashion Plc, parent of the DTLR, Finish Line, Hibbett, JD, and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S., divested Footasylum for £37.5 million in August 2022, a far cry the £90 million price it paid in 2019, after it was forced to sell the business after the UK’s competition watchdog blocked the acquisition deal.

The company’s acquisition by private equity firm Aurelius Group was approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and completed on August 5, 2022.

The CMA had ruled the merger could lead to less choice and a “worse deal” for customers.

Image courtesy Footasylum