Laura Ashley.

Laura Ashley History.

Laura Ashley was a welsh designer who was born in 1925. The first shop was opened in  Machynlleth in Powys and she became well known due to the colourful colours  she used in her designs of clothes and home furnishings. As at 30 January 2010, the property portfolio in the UK comprised 231 stores (2009: 228).

Laura Ashley Financial Results Year Ended 29th January 2011.

For the 52 weeks to 29th January 2011, profit before tax was up 91% to £19.3 million. Total Group sales increased by 6.2% to £285 million. For the year ended 29 January 2011, total Internet sales grew by 45% to £32.0 million whilst UK store sales were up 2.5% to £218.8 million. Retail space was reduced by 53,000 square feet (6%), as the UK portfolio was reduced by 14 stores, from 231 to 217. Internet sales represented 12.5% of total UK retail sales. Total Furniture sales increased 7.2%, UK retail fashion sales increased by 2.6% and Home Accessories increased by 3.1%. Franchise revenues increased by 18% to £22.8 million due to the addition of the South Korean and Jersey partners and ongoing franchise growth.

Laura Ashley Financial Results Year Ended 30/01/2010.

For the 52 weeks to 30 January 2010, profit before tax was up 7.8% to £11.0 million (2009: £10.2 million). Excluding gains from exceptional items, profit was up 5.2% to £10.1 million (2009: £9.6 million). Total Group sales increased by £7.9 million (3.0%) to £268.4 million(52 weeks) compared to the previous year of £260.5 million (53 weeks). The improved total sales position was primarily due to the increase in UK store sales and Internet sales. For the year ended 30 January 2010, total UK store sales were up 3.1% to £213.5 million  whilstInternet sales grew by 30.0% to £22.1 million. The relative split of UK sales was Furniture 30% which includes beds, upholstered furniture,mirrors and cabinet furniture and furniture salesincreased 18.2%. Home Accessories 28% the category includes lighting, gifts, bed linen, rugs, throws, cushions and children’s accessories, sales of Home Accessories increased by 5.5%.  Decorating 22% includes curtains, fabric, paint, decorative accessories and wall coverings and decorating sales were up 9.5%. Fashion 20% The accessories range has been very popular, particularly scarves and jewellery fashion sales increased by 12.9%.

Laura Ashley online website.

The E-Commerce and Mail Order channels remain a vital part of the Laura Ashley multi-channel retail strategy, representing 12% of total UK retail sales. E-Commerce website sales wereup 30.0% in the last 12 months, the online offer has been greatly enhanced with the addition during the year of the Made to Measure curtains and Made to Order upholstery categories. Spring/Summer 2010 Collections