Mountain Warehouse ups pace of new openings as sales surge
Mountain Warehouse is upping the pace of new store openings after its sales hit an all-time high this year.
The outdoor retailer, which has 370 shops in eight countries, is opening a new branch every week in the run-up to Christmas and is planning to launch a further 50 next year, including its first shops in Australia.
Mountain Warehouse’s revenue increased by 22.6% to a record £371 million in the 12 months to the end of February 2023, although the retailer made a £1.5 million loss due to surging freight and energy costs.
Sales then grew to £171 million in the six months to 31 August 2023 when the retailer posted underlying profits of £6.7 million. Mountain Warehouse said trading was boosted by this year’s rainy summer which led to it selling 350,000 waterproof jackets in July and August alone.
The retailer also experienced its busiest ever Black Friday weekend this year with sales of more than £10 million.
Mark Neale, founder of Mountain Warehouse, said: “During Covid, there was a belief that nobody was ever going to go to a store again, and their days were numbered, but that’s proved to be completely wide of the mark. Whilst our online business had a big boost during the pandemic and continues to go from strength to strength, our stores have bounced back with gusto showing that customers want to shop both channels.”
The retailer opened two new stores in Newark and Swindon last week and is planning to launch shops in Lincoln, Hexham and Stratford upon Avon between now and Christmas. It will also be opening three stores overseas.
Mountain Warehouse has also been taking much larger units to enable its to stock a wider product range and showcase the Animal lifestyle brand it acquired two years ago. In addition, the retailer has opened three standalone Animal shops in the coastal locations of Padstow, Bude and Abersoch.
Neale said: “That’s something we have taken big strides forward with in recent years, so that we have a strong business all year around. Acquiring Animal was another step on that journey and has helped us reach some new customers. The Animal brand is well loved and we’re reinventing it for a new generation with sustainability at its core.”
