Following today’s release of The Range’s figures for the 53 weeks ending 2 February 2025; Emily Scott, retail analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view: “The Range delivered strong top-line growth in FY2024/25, with revenue rising 13.5% to £1,472.3m and like-for-like (l-f-l) sales up an impressive 4.0%. Growth was driven by the opening of 19 new stores and strong demand for value-led products. This momentum will have continued into its FY2025/26 as the retailer acquired 53 ex-Homebase stores, with most openings taking place in the new financial year. Profit before tax returned to positive territory, albeit at a low level, reflecting significant investment in a new distribution centre at Stowmarket and the acquisition of former Homebase stores. While profitability remains tight, the transition back to the black shows that the retailer’s expansion is generating operating leverage.
“The Range’s wide product range with accessible price points has proved increasingly attractive as consumers continue to feel the bite of living costs and as key value competitors B&M and Poundland have lost their focus. Wilko’s online revival has re-engaged a customer base that values its trusted position in household essentials, with the platform generating an additional £60m of revenue out of the total £70m of growth in online sales. Online growth was further supported by The Range’s marketplace proposition, which broadened product choice beyond its core ranges and attracted incremental traffic. This shift demonstrates that the group’s strategy of a growing digital presence alongside physical expansion is resonating, giving consumers more choice in how and where they shop.
“The acquisition and conversion of 53 former Homebase sites presents a significant opportunity for The Range in the coming years. These large format stores provide immediate scale and allow The Range to expand into new areas. Seeing the benefits of this expansion will rely on the new Stowmarket distribution centre delivering the efficiencies it was designed for, enabling older facilities to be closed and costs reduced. To continue momentum, the group must maintain its competitive pricing strategy, push its digital marketing strategies and carefully manage inventory levels. A key challenge for The Range will be to maintain its distinct identity and value-led USP as it expands rapidly. The retailer must ensure that scale does not come at the expense of this, unlike B&M, whose UK l-f-l sales fell by 3.1% in its FY2024/25 (ending 29 March) due to the dilution of its proposition during aggressive store expansion.”
