Final Results.


    26 August 2025 23:06:48
  • Source: Sharecast
RNS Number : 7239W
Boohoo Group Plc
26 August 2025
 

26 August 2025

 

boohoo group plc

(the "Company" or the "Group" or "Debenhams Group")

 

Audited Results for the year ended 28 February 2025

 

New leadership, new strategy, new direction

 

 Debenhams Group transformation underway

 

Dan Finley, Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

 

I took on this role on 1 November 2024. The Board recognised the need for change following a long period of sustained and unacceptable underperformance. My immediate focus has been on stabilising the business and positioning it to take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead. I am laser focused on maximising value for all shareholders.

 
We are pleased to report £41.6m Adjusted EBITDA
[1] for FY25. On appointment, this seemed improbable, but we quickly came up with a plan, confirmed our position with the market and executed it. This has only been possible due to the aggressive actions subsequently taken, including £50m of annualised headcount savings. The highlight of the year has been the standout performance of the Debenhams brand, growing GMV[2] to £654m (+34% YOY) and with Adjusted EBITDA of £25m (+ £14m YOY). The Debenhams capital-lite, stock-lite, cost-lite, cash-generative marketplace model sits at the heart of our new strategy. The multi-year turnaround of Debenhams is the blueprint for the turnaround of the wider group.


We have significantly reduced the capital intensity of the business. We have faced into legacy stock issues and reduced our stock holding by more than 50%. We have stopped unnecessary capital expenditure and reduced capex by more than 50%. Further reductions will be delivered this financial year.

 
We have significantly deleveraged the business in H2. Our gross borrowings reduced by £200m, with net debt of £78.2m at year end (1H FY25: £143.1m, FY24 £95.0m). This follows the successful completion of an oversubscribed equity raise of £39m and the sale of non-core property assets, enabling us to pay off our term loan nine months early. Post year end, we announced the successful completion of a new 3-year finance facility of up to £175m. This was done more than 12 months ahead of maturity to align our financing to our new strategy.

 
The business has been through a very challenging period which is reflected in these results. I want to assure shareholders that the business is taking the necessary actions, quickly and decisively, to address the challenges that we face. No stone will be left unturned.


As outlined in March, we have a clear plan as Debenhams Group to transform the business and a route map to generating sustainable profit growth. Our mission is to become the shopping destination of choice by connecting our community with the brands they love.


We are focused on delivering on the huge opportunity ahead for the Debenhams brand.  Work is progressing to reposition and right size the Youth Brands, with a laser focus on profitability and cash generation under new management.

 

This will be a multi-year turnaround as was the case with the Debenhams brand. As part of our ongoing business review, we are exploring a potential sale of PLT. We are also assessing long-term options for our US and Burnley distribution sites to enhance efficiency and ensure alignment with our stock-lite strategy.

 

I am pleased that all our brands are now trading profitably in terms of Adjusted EBITDA.  I strongly believe in the medium-term opportunity for our group. We continue forward as Debenhams Group under new leadership, a new strategy, and a new direction.

 

Summary FY2025 Performance

 


Group performance of continuing operations (excluding PLT)1

Group performance including discontinued operations (including PLT)

£ million

FY25

FY24

Change

FY25

FY24

Change

GMV2 Pre Returns3

Youth Brands

Karen Millen

Debenhams brand

1,606.8

795.6

157.1

654.0

1,632.5

981.9

161.9

488.7

(2)%

(19)%

(3)%

34%

2,321.8

1,510.6

157.1

654.0

2,581.4

1,930.8

161.9

488.7

(10)%

(22)%

(3)%

34%

GMV Post Returns4

1,137.4

1,121.7

1%

1,639.0

1,784.7

(8)%

Revenue

790.3

902.3

(12)%

1,217.9

1,461.0

(17)%

Gross profit

415.8

479.3

(13)%

617.9

756.1

(18)%

Gross margin

52.6%

53.1%

(50)bps

50.7%

51.8%

(100)bps

Operating costs

(375.5)

(440.2)

(15)%

-

-

-

Adjusted EBITDA5

41.6

40.4

3.0%

39.6

58.7

(33)%

   % of revenue

5.3%

4.5%

80bps

 

 

 

Adjusted EBIT6

(21.0)

(30.7)

32%

 

 

 

   % of revenue

(2.7)%

(3.4)%

70bps

 

 

 

Adjusted loss after tax7

(43.4)

(49.2)

12%

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted loss per share8

(3.34)p

(4.12)p

19%

 

 

 

Inventory

72.2

208.0

(65)%

 

 

 

Capex

27.5

64.8

(58)%

 

 

 

Free cash flow

(40.2)

(62.9)

36%

 

 

 

Net debt

(78.2)

(95.0)

(18)%

 

 

 

 

1 The Group is actively pursuing a disposal of PLT through a sale process as the board believes this is an opportunity to accelerate progress and maximise shareholder value. PLT is treated as an asset held for sale at the year-end in accordance with IFRS 5, and its results are therefore not classified as part of continuing operations.

2 Gross merchandise value

3 GMV pre returns is all merchandise sold to customers after cancellations and before returns, including VAT, carriage receipts and premier subscription income.  

4 GMV post returns is all merchandise sold to customers after cancellations and after returns, including VAT, carriage receipts and premier subscription income. 

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as loss before tax, interest, depreciation, amortisation, share-based payment charges and exceptional items.

6 Adjusted EBIT is calculated as loss before tax, interest, amortisation of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment charges and exceptional items. 

7 Adjusted loss after tax is calculated excluding amortisation of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment charges and exceptional items. 

8 Adjusted loss per share is calculated as diluted earnings per share, adding back amortisation of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment charges and exceptional items. 

 

 

FY2025 Financial Summary of Continuing Operations

 

·    Group GMV (pre returns) decreased 2% year-on-year to £1,606.8m

 

·    Marketplace almost doubled its contribution vs prior year and now represents nearly 30% of the Group's total GMV

 

·    Group revenue fell 12% to £790.3m from £902.3m, largely reflecting the growing importance of the marketplace model where commission income, rather than full transaction value, is recognised 
 

·    Debenhams brand GMV increased by 34% to £654.0m, highlighting the ongoing success of the capital-lite, stock lite marketplace model
 

·    Gross margin was down 50bps to 52.6% following increased promotional activity, primarily in our Youth Brands, to drive trade in a difficult consumer environment, offset by the mix benefit of increased marketplace revenues with a significantly higher gross margin
 

·    Adjusted EBITDA increased slightly to £41.6m, with Adjusted EBITDA margin improving by 80bps to 5.3%. This was driven by successfully reducing our operating cost base post 1 November, in particular distribution and administrative expenses, slightly offset by higher investment in our brands, and a slightly lower gross margin
 

·    Distribution costs decreased by 46% vs FY24, driven by annualised efficiencies from automation investments at our Sheffield warehouse, the closure of the Daventry warehouse and lower volumes

·    Adjusted loss after tax decreased by £5.8m to £43.4m. On an unadjusted basis, loss after tax was £263.3m, up from £146.4m in FY24, as the Group incurred one-off exceptional items, due to strategic decisions such as the closure of the US distribution centre and exceptional stock write offs of £26m taken to position the Group for sustainable, profitable growth
 

·    Inventory decreased by £135.8m to £72.2m, reflecting our strategy of moving towards a stock-lite, capital-lite operating model
 

·    Capital expenditure of £27.5m was significantly reduced year-on-year, down from £64.8m in FY24, following a more disciplined approach to investments, as well as the impact of significant one-off investments in the US facility in the prior year
 

·    Net debt at year end was £78.2m, down from £95.0m at the end of FY24

 

·    In August 2025, successfully completed a new debt financing package of up to £175m, which extends maturity to June 2028 and replaces the Group's previous £125m revolving credit facility which matured in October 2026. The revised structure provides significantly enhanced financial flexibility.

 

Strategic update

Debenhams Group has embarked on a focused, multi-year Turnaround Strategy designed to restore profitability and unlock value for all shareholders. This strategy is supported by two clear proven evidence points that highlight the Group's strong turnaround potential.

1. Turnaround of the Debenhams brand

Under the leadership of Dan Finley, the Debenhams brand turnaround from administration has become the blueprint for the entire Group's recovery strategy. Repositioned as Britain's leading online department store, the Debenhams brand is fast-growing and cash generative. This proven success is now being leveraged to revitalise our boohoo, boohooMAN and PLT brands, while also accelerating growth in Karen Millen through marketplace pivots, driving greater profitability and Group expansion.

2. Turnaround of Group-Owned Labels

The Debenhams brand has also become the home for the Group's owned labels, including Wallis, Burton, Miss Pap, Coast, Oasis, Dorothy Perkins, and Warehouse. These labels have undergone a significant transformation and are operating profitably in terms of Adjusted EBITDA.

The Group's Turnaround strategy is focused across three key strategic value drivers.

1. Creating the right operating model

Since Dan's appointment as CEO, we have taken swift action to adapt to a leaner and more technologically proficient operating model, enabling us to deliver the performance announced today and to drive future growth.  We have reduced our cost base by delivering £50m in annualised savings, including a 30% headcount reduction, as we operate more efficiently across the Group. We also halved stock to c.£72m by year-end, with 90% of stock now less than 6 months old. Consolidation of our Youth Brands onto a common proprietary ecosystem is underway which will deliver additional cost benefits.

As part of our ongoing strategic review, we have looked closely at our current assets against the optimum future needs of the business.  Our state-of-the-art distribution centre in Sheffield is fully invested and has sufficient capacity to fulfil the needs of the Group. As a result, we are exploring a range of long-term options for our distribution sites in the US and Burnley, to drive further efficiency and ensure our assets align with our stock-lite strategy. We have also decided to explore a future sale of PLT while remaining fully focused on the turnaround of this brand to ensure maximum value for shareholders on exit.

In October 2024, the Group agreed a £222m debt facility to support the next phase of development. In December 2024, we paid back £97m of debt and net debt was £78.2m at year end. In August 2025, we put in place new financing of up to £175m to replace the previous debt facility. This new facility will provide the strategic flexibility required to deliver our turnaround strategy and deliver further reductions in our operating costs.

We have made significant progress under new leadership, but there remains much to do and many opportunities to realise. The business review announced in October 2024 is ongoing, and we will continue to adapt as necessary to achieve our goal of returning to sustainable profit generation.

2. Supercharging the Debenhams brand

The Debenhams brand, its business model and its technology sit at the centre of the Group going forward. It is the driving force of the business and will lead our recovery.

 In 2025, the Debenhams brand delivered 34% of GMV growth to £654m and welcomed more than 11,000 new partners to the platform, reaching >15,000 in total. It continued to scale in Fashion as well as newer categories including Beauty, which delivered GMV growth of 58% in the year, and Home. The Debenhams brand is much-loved and has huge brand recognition.

We are also investing in new products that make shopping with us quicker, easier and more convenient, providing third party brands more ways to enhance their growth and add new revenue streams.  Since its launch in March, thousands of customers have already adopted Debenhams Pay+, an innovative credit payment option, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Pay+ offers greater flexibility and choice to consumers, and there is significant headroom for further adoption across our customer base. We are also focused on accelerating the roll out of Pay+ onto our other own brands and our third-party partners.

 We continue to expand 'Delivered by Debenhams', which enables partners to outsource delivery to us, leveraging our state-of-the-art, automated distribution centre where we will pick, pack and deliver their products to customers. We are also growing 'Debenhams Ads, our retail media proposition that partners can use to promote their products and drive sales growth.

 
3. Pivot to fashion-led marketplaces

The Debenhams brand stock-lite, capital-lite, cost-lite, cash-generative model is the foundation of our marketplace strategy, with the model further proven by the turnaround of Debenhams labels which are now also operating very profitably. 

Powering this model is our proprietary marketplace technology. Our platform is built to onboard partners quickly and seamlessly. Once onboarded, partners can achieve superior growth - in FY25, our partners achieved a 50% increase in their sales growth. The platform has been built with significant headroom to ensure we can scale at pace, onboarding more brands and partners.

Our Youth Brands remain highly relevant with a strong social media reach. We believe there is future potential in these brands which we will realise by pivoting them to fashion-led marketplaces. In FY25, we launched boohoo's marketplace with over 1,000 brands. PLT and boohooMAN marketplaces are also now live.

In Karen Millen, we will accelerate growth with our broader marketplace model, building on the introduction of pre-loved luxury to diversify its product offering and elevate the overall customer experience. There is also opportunity for international expansion which remains a strategic priority.

Delivering the significant benefits of these changes will take time and we are excited by the opportunity scale our existing marketplaces, led by continued strong growth in the Debenhams brand
 
OUTLOOK

During H1 FY26, we continue to see strong and profitable growth in our Debenhams brand.  

All our brands are now trading profitably in terms of Adjusted EBITDA.  

We are focused on right-sizing our Youth Brands. Under new leadership, our priorities are now cash generation and profitability.  

We expect 1H FY26 Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations to be ahead of 1H FY25. 

The medium-term opportunity is significant for the Group. We continue forward as Debenhams Group under new leadership, with a new strategy, and a new direction 

 

 

Posting of the Annual Report and Accounts and AGM Notice

 

The Company is pleased to confirm that its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2025 ("Annual Report") and its Notice of Annual General Meeting ("AGM Notice") will be available to view on the Company's website (www.debenhamsgroup.com) on Wednesday 27 August 2025. Additionally, the AGM Notice, and (for those shareholders who requested they continue to receive a paper copy) the Annual Report, will be posted to shareholders on Wednesday 27 August 2025.

 

Paper copies of the Form of Proxy will be available from Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Limited on request.

 

The Company's Annual General Meeting for the year ended 28 February 2025 will be held at 12pm on Friday 19 September 2025, at Addleshaw Goddard, 1 St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 3DE.

 

Enquiries



Debenhams Group



Phil Ellis, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +44 (0)161 233 2050

 


Zeus Capital - Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker

Nick Cowles / Dan Bate / James Edis

Tel: +44 (0)161 831 1512

Benjamin Robertson

Tel: +44 (0)20 3829 5000

 


 

Panmure Liberum - Joint Broker             
Max Jones / Ailsa MacMaster / Gaya Bhatt 

Sodali & Co - Financial PR Adviser


Tel: +44 (0)20 3100 2000

 

Ben Foster / Louisa Henry

Tel: +44 (0)20 3984 0114

 







 

 

About Debenhams Group

Debenhams Group is an online powerhouse in fashion, home, and beauty, serving millions of customers across five shopping destinations: Debenhams, Karen Millen, boohoo, MAN and PLT. Debenhams Group dates back to 1778 when William Clark, a retail pioneer of the time, opened the UK's first department store. Today, the Group is home to Debenhams-which was relaunched in 2021 as an online department store-and leading online fashion retailers, including boohoo, PLT, MAN, and Karen Millen.

 

 

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements included or incorporated by reference within this announcement may constitute "forward-looking statements" in respect of the group's operations, performance, prospects and/or financial condition. Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words and words of similar meaning as "anticipates", "aims", "due", "could", "may", "will", "should", "expects", "believes", "intends", "plans", "potential", "targets", "goal" or "estimates". By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any particular expectation will be met and reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. Additionally, forward-looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. No responsibility or obligation is accepted to update or revise any forward-looking statement resulting from new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast. This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase any shares or other securities in the Company, nor shall it or any part of it or the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment or investment decisions relating thereto, nor does it constitute a recommendation regarding the shares or other securities of the Company. Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. Statements in this announcement reflect the knowledge and information available at the time of its preparation. Liability arising from anything in this announcement shall be governed by English law. Nothing in this announcement shall exclude any liability under applicable laws that cannot be excluded in accordance with such laws.


 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 28 February 2025


Note

Continuing 2025 Pre-exceptional  items

Continuing 2025 exceptional  items (1)

Continuing 2025

Total(2)

*Continuing 2024 Pre-exceptional  items

*Continuing 2024 exceptional  items (1)

*Continuing 2024

Total(2)

 



£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

 

Revenue

2

790.3

-

790.3

902.3

-

902.3

 

Cost of sales


(374.5)

(26.1)

(400.6)

(423.0)

-

(423.0)

 

Gross profit

 

415.8

(26.1)

389.7

479.3

-

479.3

 


 

 

 

 




 

Distribution costs

 

(161.7)

(97.4)

(259.1)

(204.3)

(66.6)

(270.9)

 

Administrative expenses

 

(298.0)

(75.3)

(373.3)

(329.8)

(31.5)

(361.3)

 

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

 

(6.8)

-

(6.8)

(8.4)

(22.4)

(30.8)

 

Other administrative expenses

 

(291.2)

(75.3)

(366.5)

(321.4)

(9.1)

(330.5)

 


 

 

 

 




 

Other income

3

1.3

-

1.3

1.3

-

1.3

 

Operating loss

 

(42.6)

(198.8)

(241.4)

(53.5)

(98.1)

(151.6)

 


 

 

 

 




 

Finance income

4

2.7

-

2.7

9.5

-

9.5

 

Finance expense

4

(25.2)

-

(25.2)

(22.5)

-

(22.5)

 

Loss before tax

6

(65.1)

(198.8)

(263.9)

(66.5)

(98.1)

(164.4)

 


 

 

 

 




 

Taxation

9

(6.2)

11.3

5.1

(0.8)

15.7

14.9

 

Loss after tax

 

(71.3)

(187.5)

(258.8)

(67.3)

(82.4)

(149.5)

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

Share of results of associate

13

(4.5)

 

(4.5)

3.1

-

3.1

 

Loss for the year

 

(75.8)

(187.5)

(263.3)

(64.2)

(82.4)

(146.4)

 

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations

17

 

 

(63.1)



8.8

 

Total loss for the year

 

 

 

(326.4)

 

 

(137.6)

 

 

 

 

   Refer to IFRS 5 note: Non-current Assets and disposal groups Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.  Notes 1 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

Continuing 2025 pre-exceptional  items

Continuing 2025 exceptional  items (1)

Continuing 2025

Total(2)

*Continuing 2024 pre-exceptional  items

*Continuing 2024 exceptional  items (1)

*Continuing 2024

Total(2)

 

 

 

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

 

Total Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

 

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:

 

(Loss)/gain reclassified to profit and loss during the year

 

-

-

(2.4)

-

-

(2.4)

 

Fair value  (loss)/gain on cash flow hedges during the year(3)

 

-

-

(0.2)

-

-

(0.2)

 

Income tax relating to these items

 

-

-

0.6

-

-

(1.2)

 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

 

-

-

(2.0)

-

-

(3.8)

 

Total comprehensive loss for the year

 

 

(328.4)

 

 

(142.7)

 

 

 

 

 





 

Total loss per share (continuing and discontinued)

7

 

 





 

 

 

 

 





Basic

 

 

 

(20.22)p

 

 

(12.47)p

 

Diluted

 

 

 

(20.22)p

           

 

(12.47)p

 

 

Adjusted Basic

Adjusted Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

           

 

 

          (3.34)p

          (3.34)p

 

 

                

 

 

           (4.12)p

           (4.12)p

 

 

1.        See note 1, exceptional items.

2.        2025 and 2024 total is the IFRS-compliant measure for the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

3.        Net fair value gains on cash flow hedges will be reclassified to profit or loss during the year to 28 February 2026.

4.        Refer to disclosure note 7 for further information on EPS

 

*The activities comprise continuing operations and discontinued operations.  Notes 1 to 32 form part of these financial statements.

 

*FY2024 comparatives have been restated on account of PLT being assessed as a discontinued operation

 

 

 

 






[1] Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as loss before tax, interest, depreciation, amortisation, share-based payment charges and exceptional items

[2] Gross Merchandise Value




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