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Halfords has posted a pre-tax profit of £45.3m for the 53 weeks ending 3 April 2026, driven by a 3.4% jump in retail revenue to more than £1bn. The performance signals the first major signs of success for the group’s ‘Fit for Future’ turnaround strategy.
The motoring and cycling retailer launched plans to improve the autocentres business, invest further into digital and online services and reshape its retail operations. Since then, the company has delivered significant growth with group revenue totalling £1.76bn, up 4.8% on a like-for-like basis.
The business also achieved a gross margin of 4.8%—its highest level in a decade—alongside like-for-like growth of more than 8%. This performance helped the group swing back into the black, delivering a statutory profit of £43.6m compared to a £30m loss the previous year.
Henry Birch, chief executive of Halfords, said: “I am very pleased with the progress we are making in the ‘Optimise’ phase of our strategy, resulting in the strong results we are announcing today. With good sales growth, higher margins and an increased dividend, we are delivering improved shareholder returns alongside a more compelling customer proposition.
“These are early days in our growth strategy and there is much still to do as we seek to leverage Halfords’ clear strengths: leading market positions, an unmatched physical and digital presence in motoring and cycling, a trusted brand, and a unique services proposition made possible by more than 12,000 expert colleagues. I would like to thank those colleagues for their continued passion and commitment and look forward to working together to help keep our customers moving.”
Halfords has also announced changes in board structure, as current chair Keith Williams intends to step down. The company is set to welcome Jock Lennox as its new chair, effective 1 September 2026, it said.
Birch added: “I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Keith Williams, who is standing down as Chair at our AGM in September. Keith has been an exceptional Chair and has guided Halfords through significant change over the last eight years. We welcome Jock Lennox to the Halfords Board as our new Chair and look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
