Feelunique sales soar in golden quarter

Online beauty retailer Feelunique has welcomed a period of “strong” trading during its golden quarter, with sales soaring by 39% to £28m in the 12 weeks ended 3 January 2021. This growth was attributed to ongoing investments in its e-commerce platform, alongside “soaring” marketplace demand, with active customers up by 41% to more than 1.3 million at the end of the period. The group delivered a particularly strong sales performance through its retail channel, while marketplace sales increased more than ten-fold against the prior year. According to Feelunique, this “outstanding” growth reflects its strategic focus on adding “new established, niche, independent and challenger brands and exclusive products to the platform”. It comes as demand for skincare, haircare and fragrance increased “significantly”, according to the group, with sales of retinol-based products rising by 145% and sales of dermatologist-approved skincare up by 174%. In addition, gifting items performed “particularly” well during the quarter, including the latest Feelunique advent calendar, which sold 10,000 editions in the lead up to Christmas. During the period, the group also continued to expand in its target international markets, with US sales up by 168%, with growth also seen in several MENA and European markets. In light of its latest results, the retailer said it is in line to exceed £100m in sales and achieve positive EBITDA for its financial year ended 31 March 2021. Sarah Miles, CEO of Feelunique said: “We’re delighted to report a very strong sales performance during the quarter, capping what was a transformational 2020 for Feelunique. We have achieved rapid growth in revenue and new customers over the past 12 months. “This progress has been supported by investments in our technology and our focus on expanding the number of brands available through our platform. As a result of this continued momentum, Feelunique is on track to exceed £100m in sales and achieve positive EBITDA for its financial year ended 31st March 2021.” She added: “Over the Christmas period we continued to achieve great success with our gifting options and our hugely popular beauty advent calendar. Make up sales delivered double-digit sales growth despite the cancellation of Christmas parties and consumers staying home. For the same reason skincare sales surged, with consumers prioritising self-care during the period. “We have very exciting plans for 2021, which include adding even more brands and exclusive ranges to our platform, driving sales through our growing Marketplace channel and expanding further in our target international markets.”