Angling Direct sales jump 32 per cent after bumper Black Friday
Fishing specialist Angling Direct saw its sales soar in the four months to the end of November as customers rose to the bait of its Black Friday offers.
Angling Direct reported a 31.5 per cent increase in sales to £14.6m, boosted by a 24 per cent rise in online sales and record Black Friday trading.
The fishing retailer, which is the largest in the UK, said online transactions during Black Friday week rose 42.5 per cent. Shares in Angling Direct were up almost two per cent this morning.
Chief executive Darren Bailey said: “The company has taken great encouragement from the recent performance against the backdrop of a difficult retail trading environment.
“As the business launches its new international websites and continues to invest in its stores and overall customer experience, we believe that Angling Direct remains well placed to build on its market leading position.”
The upsurge in sales flies in the face of widespread anxiety across the retail sector, as both physical and online retailers feel a squeeze in the pre-Christmas trading period.
Yesterday online fashion brand Asos saw its shares plunge 40 per cent after it issued a profit warning. The announcement reverberated through the sector and caused a drop in fashion stocks across Europe.
Norfolk-based Angling Direct defied November difficulties to post a 19.3 per cent increase in sales for the month.
The company said the success reflects its “strong retail offering and growing brand loyalty”.