AO
This coverage examines AO’s performance, strategy, and operations within the UK electricals and e-commerce market. Reporting covers financial results, fulfilment developments, leadership moves, partnerships, and market positioning. It is designed for retail executives, category managers, and operations professionals analysing digital retail models, supply chain efficiency, and competitive dynamics in the home appliances sector.
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Jun- 2025 -18 JuneElectrical
AO World profits rise amid membership scheme success
AO World has revealed that its adjusted profit-before-tax rose 27% to £44m for the year ended 31 March 2025, up from £34m in the previous year. Alongside this, the company’s LFL group revenue grew 7%, to £1.11bn with its core B2C retail revenue rising 12% to £832m. This growth was…
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Apr- 2025 -1 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-1/4/25
Retailers are bracing for a £5.56bn rise in costs following the implementation of recent Budget measures, including higher National Insurance contributions and an increased minimum wage. According to Retail Economics, these changes will force businesses to absorb £1.76bn in profit losses while passing £1.72bn onto consumers through price hikes. Chancellor…
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1 AprilHealth & Beauty
Frasers ups stake in THG to 10.92%
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in THG from 4.8% to 10.92%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company. It now holds 151,940,734 voting rights in the company. The news comes as THG successfully fundraised £90m with the support from new investors…
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Mar- 2025 -26 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-26/3/25
John Lewis is close to securing approval for its housing project in Reading, transforming a former customer collection facility into 215 homes, including 49% family-sized units and 10% affordable rentals. The development, featuring shared workspaces, a gym, and communal areas, is part of an £80m investment in rental housing. A…
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26 MarchElectrical
Frasers ups stake in AO World to 25%
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in fashion retailer Brown to 25.01%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company. It now holds 145,148,997 voting rights in the company. The news comes as the electrical retailer AO raised its full-year forecast to between…
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25 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-25/3/25
WH Smith has successfully completed a refinancing deal, securing a £200m US Private Placement and a new £120m bank term loan. The move diversifies its debt financing ahead of a potential sale of its high street business, which includes over 500 stores. Two firms, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remain…
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25 MarchOnline & Digital
AO raises full-year profit guidance amid LFL sales surge
AO has revealed that its adjusted profit-before-tax has grown in the region of 30%, and is expected to be around the top end of its previously upgraded guidance range of £39m to £44m for the year ended 31 March 2025. Alongside this, its B2C retail revenues are expected to increase…
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Jan- 2025 -31 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-31/1/25
Homebase, the DIY retailer that collapsed into administration in November 2024, owes more than £650m to unsecured creditors, including suppliers AO World, Halfords, and The Hut. Administrator Teneo reported total unsecured claims of £657m, with £100m owed to trade creditors. Major debts include £2.9m to Close Brothers for till systems,…
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31 JanuaryDIY
Homebase owes over £650m to unsecured creditors post collapse
Homebase still owes more than £650m to unsecured creditors, including AO World, Halfords, and The Hut, following its collapse into administration in November 2024. According to Teneo, the DIY retailer’s appointed administrator, unsecured creditor claims totalled £657m – of which roughly £100m is owed to trade creditors. With unsecured creditors…
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Nov- 2024 -26 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-26/11/24
AO World has raised its full-year profit forecast to between £39m-£44m after reporting a 30% rise in pre-tax profits to £17m for the six months ending 30 September. Despite adverse summer trading conditions due to wet weather, which affected cooling product sales, AO’s B2C retail revenue grew 13%. Group revenue…
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