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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

AO founder eyes double-digit growth after revenue surges by more than 60%

Bolton-headquartered online retail giant AO World's revenue surged by more than 60% to pass the £1.6bn mark during its latest financial year.

The listed group has said it "delivered a strong performance across all aspects of the business, stepping up to, and capitalising on, the challenges and opportunities presented by the Covid pandemic".

It added that this included "significant increases in revenue, a step change in profitability at both group and divisional levels, strong cash generation, improved financial resources, and substantial progress in operational capability".

The group also said its results were achieved without financial support from Government.

The statement issued to the London Stock Exchange shows that group revenue increased by 62% to £1.66bn in the 12 months to March 31, 2021.

AO.com's revenue increased year-on-year revenue by 88% in Q4, and AO.de, the German website, increased full year revenue by 77%.

The group added that its German business achieved run rate profitability in Q3 and is expected to generate profits in the current financial year.

Group Adjusted EBITDA, despite Covid-related costs, is expected to be between £63m and £72m, up from £19.6m.

Founder and chief executive John Roberts said: "I am delighted to report a year of outstanding financial, operational and strategic progress.

"The last 12 months have been like no other and we have been very proud to rise to the challenges for our customers - keeping their lives powering on with essential electrical and technology products.

"Serving customers in The AO Way and treating every customer like our own gran, irrespective of cost, has enabled us to impress millions of customers with a better way to shop electricals.

"We were brave and bold in our capacity and infrastructure investments early in the year and now look forward to building on that scale advantage.

"I believe that these market dynamics will stick and, whilst there is inevitable uncertainty, the direction of travel is firmly with AO and the business model we have spent more than 20 years building.

"I expect that we will continue to be a double-digit growth business in the year ahead, even now as we lap the tough comparatives from last year with physical stores open. I look forward to providing more detail at our full year results in June.

"I would like to thank all AOers for living our values through this year and our trading partners who have been with us shoulder to shoulder as we have shown millions of customers a better way to shop electricals."

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