(Alliance News) - Watches of Switzerland Group PLC on Wednesday reported double-digit rises in both interim profit and revenue, boasting "ongoing" market share gains.
Watches of Switzerland is a Leicester, England-based luxury watch retailer.
Shares were down 6.4% at 897.50 pence each on Wednesday morning in London.
In the six months that ended on October 30, it reported revenue of GBP765 million, up 31% from GBP586 million the previous year. The company noted continued "strong demand for luxury watches and jewellery, with growth driven by increases in average selling price and volume".
Particularly in the US, revenue during the period surged by 86% to GBP311 million from GBP167 million.
Total pretax profit rose 28% to GBP83 million from GBP65 million. Operating profit also increased by 28% to GBP93 million from GBP72 million the year before.
Chief Executive Officer Brian Duffy said: "I am pleased with our strong performance in the first half of the financial year which reflects our leadership position and the strength of our longstanding brand partnerships as we continue to take market share. We continue to expand our retail network, opening a total of 20 showrooms across the UK, US and Europe in the first half of [financial 2023], and to invest in elevating the luxury experience for our clients through showroom refurbishments.
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation amounted to GBP104 million, up 26% from GBP83 million.
Net debt stood at GBP26 million as of October 30, compared to net cash of GBP30 million on October 31 a year prior.
Looking ahead, Watches of Switzerland noted that trading in the holiday period so far has been in-line with its expectations.
As a result, Watches of Switzerland kept its full-year guidance unchanged which expects revenue between GBP1.50 billion and GBP1.55 billion.
By Xindi Wei, Alliance News reporter
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Watches Switz (WOSG)
