Regatta profits soar as outdoor specialist strikes a chord

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Nov 4, 2019

It may seem that almost everyone in the UK fashion retail sector is struggling at the moment, but that's not the case. In fact outdoor clothing specialist Regatta has just reported surging profits for the year to January 31 and it's continuing to progress both at home and abroad.

The company saw turnover rising to £198.2 million from £183.3 million, while its pre-tax profits surged from £14.6 million £20.3 million. Net profit was £17 million, up from £11.1 million a year earlier. The company has been expanding in the past year and has created 230 jobs during the period.

Run by chief executive and chairman Keith Black, the company is known for durable and affordable outdoor gear, and while the focus is on practicality, there is also a fashion edge with the company selling a collection by ex-Girls Aloud singer Kimberly Walsh. It also markets the Craghoppers, Hawkshead and Dare2b clothing brands with its main brands being Regatta itself, which has a strong business in Europe generally, and Dar2b, which is a well-established mountain adventure label.

Its international operation is extensive and takes in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, America , China and Bangladesh.