Pentland Brands, owner of the Berghaus, Speedo and Ellesse labels, reported it had a strong year, thanks to continued international growth of Pentland’s portfolio of brands in sports,
outdoor and fashion, and another strong performance from the core
fascias of JD Sports Fashion plc, in which Pentland Group is the
majority shareholder.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Total revenue up 14 percent in the year ended Dec. 31 to £2.2 billion;  

• Revenue from Pentland Brands and other non-retail businesses up 5 percent to £618 million;

• Record revenues from Speedo and from Ted Baker footwear;

• Canterbury strongly positioned to capitalise on Rugby World Cup 2015, following significant investment in the brand since acquisition in 2012;

• Record performance from the Retail Division, comprising JD Sports Fashion plc, with revenue up 19 percent to £1.6 billion, mainly driven by core Sports fascias;

• Group operating profit* up 30 percent to £160 million;

• Group profit before tax up 92 percent to £164 million;

• Net cash at year end of £202 million (2013: £119 million);

• Net assets increased by 11 percent to £660 million.

(* before tax, amortisation of intangibles and exceptional items)   

Pentland Brands

Pentland Brands continued to perform strongly with revenue up 5 percent. The continued development of a global presence has helped achieve record performances for a number of its brands.

Highlights include:

  • Speedo achieved record sales for the second year in a row with growth in many international markets. The sales growth was driven by the highly successful SpeedoFit and global swimwear ranges. Speedo was also named ‘Fan Brand of the Year’ at the 2014 Sports Technology Awards.
  • Canterbury, now fully integrated into the Pentland Brands portfolio following its transfer in September 2012, achieved strong sales growth with a double-digit uplift in the UK. Canterbury became the official kit supplier for the Ireland Rugby Football Union in 2014 and will be the official kit supplier for the England and Ireland teams at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The brand continued to build its on-field presence in Australia and New Zealand through Australia’s State of Origin and Auckland National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors.
  • Ted Baker footwear had another record sales year delivering double digit growth with strong performance in the UK and USA.
  • Ted Baker and Kickers were recently acknowledged at the Drapers Footwear Awards with Ted Baker winning the Men’s Fashion Footwear Brand of the Year and International Footwear Business of the Year and Kickers Kids’ Footwear Brand of the Year.
  • Lacoste Chaussures enjoyed another year of strong sales with growth in major markets including the USA and China.
  • Three Berghaus innovations won awards at the 2014 OutDoor Industry Awards including the coveted Gold Award for the Hypersmock 2.0 – the world’s lightest waterproof jacket.

Awards

In 2014, Pentland Brands was named 8th Best Workplace in the UK and 18th Best Workplace in Europe by the Great Place to Work Institute and won the Best Employee Engagement and Overall Winners awards at the CIPD People Management Awards.

Pentland Group was awarded Top European Family Business of the Year at the 2014 European Families in Business Awards.

Retail Division

JD Sports Fashion plc produced a record result in a challenging retail environment.  This has been driven in particular by strong trading in its core Sports fascias. There has been encouraging progress in the development of the international Sports fascia offering with new stores added in all existing territories.

The Outdoor group consisting of Blacks and Millets continues to undergo significant change under JD’s ownership which has created a strong platform for growth and development in 2015.

In 2014, JD continued to invest through the acquisition of various brands/businesses such as Mainline Menswear, Ultimate Outdoors and Oswald Bailey.  In November it disposed of Bank, the loss making fashion chain.