Health trend boosts Holland & Barrett sales and profit

Sales rose from £513.6M to £573.8M for the 52 weeks to September 30 2015.  Pre-tax profit also grew from £130M to £146M over the same period.

The positive results, which included “rapid growth overseas”, reflected rising consumer interest in healthier living and wellness globally, Holland & Barrett International’s ceo Peter Aldis said.

Prioritising spending on health

“We know from our own experience operating across 11 different territories that consumers are increasingly prioritising spending on health and wellbeing above many other demands on their wallets,” he said.

“Demand has continued to increase for our long established propositions in vitamins, minerals and supplements, but our investments in further developing our product ranges in sport, healthy beauty and healthy food have shown notable increases in sales and footfall across all of our stores in all markets.”

Aldis said a “significant development” this year was the decision to open 50 free-from stores over the next two years.

£1bn turnover

The company also announced its vision to be a £1bn turnover business by 2020, drawing on its international record of growth and its ability to leverage its position as part of the NBTY Group – formally Nature’s Bounty. 

Holland & Barrett has the means to invest in growth, which has helped it grow in diverse markets including: Kuwait, Malta, Singapore and China, Aldis claimed.

It opened its 100^th franchise store in the city of Taiyuan, bringing the total number of franchised stores in China to 34, covering 18 cities in 9 provinces. 

Holland & Barrett rebranded as Holland & Barrett International in 2015 to better reflect its global reach.

Footfall across its 744 UK stores increased by 8% and items per basket by 2% over the year.  Like-for-like sales in the UK increased by 10.4% and further leverage of its investment in omni-channel technology supported a 27.5% increase in direct channel sales.