Record Group Sales Growth
Group sales were in line with the prior year at GBP 2.3 billion, with a 47% increase since 2019, indicating consistent growth over the years.
UK Market Share Gains
Despite a declining kitchen market, Howden's maintained revenue in line with last year and believes it gained market share in the UK.
Gross Margin Improvement
Gross profit was ahead of last year at GBP 1.4 billion with a gross margin percentage of 61.6%, showing a year-on-year improvement.
Strong International Sales Performance
International operations saw total sales increase with revenue in France 9.7% ahead, significantly outperforming the market.
Robust Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
The business delivered strong operating cash flow, maintaining a robust balance sheet and announcing a GBP 100 million share buyback program.
Innovations and New Product Introductions
Sales of new products introduced in the last 2 years represent around 20% of total UK product sales, with continuous product innovation in kitchens, bedrooms, and other categories.