Waxed jacket fashion brand Barbour has hailed a strong recovery from the pandemic but warned of a raft of challenges that are squeezing margins.
The South Shields business – whose jackets are loved by everyone from royalty and celebrities to farmers and outdoor enthusiasts – has issued accounts for the year ended April 30 showing a 31.5% boost in turnover, from £218.0m to £286.6m. Operating profit rose from £36.1m to £40.3m but the company’s operating margin decreased slightly to 14.1%.
In the accounts, chair Dame Margaret Barbour highlighted how the company had recovered strongly from the severe lockdowns and impacts of Covid-19, demonstrating the “strength and resilience” of its brands. But she said the uncertainty and economic challenges presented by the global pandemic remained strong, presenting numerous challenges to margins across all channels and markets.
