Revenue up for Global Brands Group

Branded apparel, footwear, fashion accessories and lifestyle product company Global Brands Group Holding has had a US$4118 million revenue increase for its latest reporting period – covering 15 months because of a change of the financial year end date to March 31.

Its revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease in the euro exchange rate, the tail-end impact of exiting underperforming brands, and an unseasonably warm winter in North America.

The core operating profit and net profit for the period were $75 million and $25 million respectively, reflecting the typically weak first quarter.

“Since Global Brands’ independent listing two years ago, our business has progressed along a steady growth trajectory,” says CEO/vice-chairman Bruce Rockowitz. “We have focused on leveraging our competitive strengths as we grow around our core segments. Today, we enjoy a unique position in our industry as no other company operates in the same space in the categories in which we specialise, at our vast scale, across so many countries and regions.”

Its total margin has continued to trend up since 2013, reaching $1379 million, or 33.5 per cent as a percentage of revenue. As a result of the group’s investment in key controlled brands and adding new licences to the portfolio, running costs grew to $1304 million.

“We continue to sharpen our focus on our key product categories and high-performing brands, while expanding our platforms where relevant,” says president/COO Dow Famulak. “Our kids category remains a highly successful franchise delivering consistently positive results, while our footwear and accessories business also performed well, particularly our key footwear brands.

“We made excellent progress expanding the direct-to-consumer reach and increasing the product offering of our key controlled brands, such as Frye, Spyder and Juicy Couture. Under Seven Global, we extended the David Beckham brand to the menswear product category through a partnership with Kent & Curwen, and recently to the men’s grooming category through a partnership with the men’s skincare brand Biotherm Homme.”

Rockowitz says the group is committed to global growth. “We will continue to expand our footprint in Europe and in Asia, as well as look for new avenues to further build upon our already strong presence in the US.”