UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 31, 2024 / Sales for the year ending January 31, 2025, are expected to rise by more than 25% and Net Profit before Tax by 40% in a poor UK trading environment. Sales year on year on www.scarlettandjo.com from November 16th through to December 25th a trading period that includes Black Friday participation has seen an uplift of some 23% versus the same period in 2023. 

Scarlett & Jo is a niche brand offering plus size occasion wear dresses, founded by the veteran designer and brand creator Gifi Fields, it is family owned. The company commissions and converts its own raw materials into exclusive prints developed from extensive print archives or dyes solid coloured fabric in the UK. Scarlett & Jo dresses are made in the UK using proprietary fit technology and its registered designs. 

Scarlett & Jo operates and distributes as an e-commerce brand with its own direct-to-consumer platform www.scarlettandjo.com and Just Jo has Scarlett & Jo distribution agreements in place with John Lewis Partnership and Next PLC. 

Its own site has over 50,000 members who are entitled to discounts and further perks. In addition, Scarlett & Jo operates through its members a not for profit Swap Shop on Facebook to recirculate member's 2nd and even 3rd hand products.

In the 365 days to December 25, 2024 scarlettandjo.com has achieved an increase in Sales from 2023 of 13 % with a 10% increase in order volumes at a reduced returns rate by 4% to 41.38%. Gross Profit Margin is running at 63.54% (63.42% 2023) Year on Year. Average net order value is over £100. 

Following a new contract with Next PLC in 2023 annual net sales on Next have risen substantially to well over £1 million per annum. Sales at John Lewis have advanced slightly behind the Scarlett & Jo platform. 

Scarlett & Jo founder, Gifi Fields said, "In very tough trading from November 16 through to December 25, including Black Friday participation, www.scarlettandjo.com has increased sales by 23% from the same period in 2023 and by 57% from 2022. We have some challenging 1st half numbers to beat in 2025 and we hope to achieve a 5% like for like increase in the important first half through further efficiency gains. Operationally, we have striven for greater efficiency in operational distribution from ourselves and indeed our trading partners throughout the year. It's been very challenging. 

“We have no borrowing, very little supply chain funded debt and over the year continued to increase our capital reserves. We expect to achieve a Net Profit Before Tax for the year ending January 31st, 2025, of over £400K from £246.3K in 2024. 

“We are well resourced and as a small growing business, we do have the ability to scale up very quickly. There are stunning international opportunities for growth. In the post COVID era, we have adopted a cautious approach to date to further UK and International expansion. Properly executed, within our business model, a sales expansion feeds incrementally to the bottom line. 

“I'd expect established potential UK retail and online partners will continue to retrench their positions, they have to deal with a 20th century and Post Covid legacy conundrum. 

“With further regards to the UK we will continue organic growth with improved GP margin. We will achieve this through better "Win -Wins" with our supply chain, improved distribution efficiencies through better process and procedures, supported by an increase in marketing spend through compelling product presentation and careful consumer targeting. We remain fixated on managing greater efficiency in distribution and in everything we do, to provide a great consumer experience that meets or exceeds expectations.”

For more information, visit: www.scarlettandjo.com