LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - SuperGroup, the Britishcompany behind the Superdry fashion brand, said on Thursday itsco-founder, brand and design director James Holder, is to quitthe retailer.
The firm, whose trademark jackets, hooded tops and joggingbottoms are popular with teenagers and twentysomethings, saidHolder would step down from the board on June 1.
Holder plans to lead a design consultancy called theSuperDesign Lab which will drive product innovation exclusivelyfor SuperGroup. However, he will no longer be an employee of thefirm.
Holder owns 11.6 percent of SuperGroup's equity.
SuperGroup, which has 662 stores and concessions across 51countries as well as an ecommerce business, also said itexpected to report a pretax profit of 72.5-74 million pounds($105-$107 million) for the year to April 23, up from 63.2million in the 2014-15 year, sending its shares up 13 percent.
Full-year revenue increased 21 percent to 589.5 millionpounds, after fourth-quarter revenue jumped 30 percent to 98.7million pounds. Fourth quarter sales at stores open over a yearwere up 15 percent, helped by a move into sportswear and premiumproduct ranges.
SuperGroup shares were up 161 pence at 1,425 pence, valuingthe firm at 1.15 billion pounds.
($1 = 0.6927 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Mark Potter)
