// Hobbycraft sees its like-for-like sales grow 15.3% on a 2-year basis
// The retailer plans to add to its estate of 102 stores by opening 7 new stores across the UK and Northern Ireland
Hobbycraft has announced that its sales have grown 15 per cent versus pre-pandemic levels following store reopenings in April.
The retailer also stated that it had managed to maintain the strong ecommerce growth rates it generated during in lockdown which helped to mitigate store closures.
From the period from April 12 to June 27, since stores reopened, total like-for-like sales growth of 15.3 per cent on a two-year basis.
READ MORE: Hobbycraft sees double-digit sales growth
Ecommerce sales have continued to be strong, with trading at almost double the level of two years ago.
Its wedding category has also proved successful following the easing of restrictions for
weddings, with sales up 26.8 per cent since reopening.
For the fiscal year 2022, the retailer plans to further its digital investment to enhance online customer experience and proposition, this will include a new customer website and the launch of a new platform for which will house online workshops where customers can discover new crafts and master techniques from Hobbycraft colleagues.
There will also be the development of experiential offering in stores through demos and workshops hosted by inhouse Artisans.
The arts and crafts retailer is aiming to increase Artisan colleagues from 31 to 100 by the end of the fiscal year 2022.
The retailer also plans to add to its estate of 102 stores by opening seven new stores across the UK and Northern Ireland, including Leicester, Belfast and Exeter, creating new retail jobs.
“I am delighted to report that since our stores reopened in April 2021 we have delivered double-digit like-for-like sales growth compared to pre-pandemic levels two years ago,” Hobbycraft chief executive Dominic Jordan said.
“This performance underlines the strength and breadth of our offer as we trade positively
in stores and sustain the strong E-commerce growth we generated in lockdown.
“As the UK’s largest arts and craft retailer, we look forward to continuing our growth plans in FY22 by further enhancing our product range and online proposition, opening new stores and hiring new retail colleagues whilst we capture market share in the UK’s rapidly growing craft sector.
“Looking back at our FY21 performance, I am pleased to report a robust set of results following what was one of the most challenging years the retail industry has ever known.
“We were delighted to welcome over 1.3 million new customers, many of whom are millennials, who rediscovered old hobbies or created new ones during lockdown.
“Our performance is testament to our incredible colleagues and the truly cohesive multichannel model we have built over recent years, which ensures we satisfy the needs of craft enthusiasts however they wish to shop with us.”
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