According to its most recent full-year report, stationery retailer Smiggle’s expansion into the UK has contributed to its huge global sales development.

Figures show that globally, total sales rose 41.8% to £110 million and opened 52 new shops, 40 of which opened in the UK within the 12 month period to 30th July.

Current stores in the UK now stand at 74, due to the openings in Chelmsford, Carlisle and Stirling since the first quarter began and the retailer stated that it is on track to open 200 stores in the UK by 2019.

The Australian retailer also reported strong like-for-like sales growth post Brexit as equal as or better than pre-Brexit as well as helping its parent company, Premier Investments, to record strong financial results.
Solomon Lew, Premier Investments chairman, said: “The 2016 result demonstrates the continued successful implementation of the Premier Retail strategy to drive growth through Smiggle.”

“Our strong trading results in each country confirms the long term store roll out targets management have set and we continue to actively review opportunities in new geographies.”

Also commenting, Mark McInnes, Premier Retail chief executive, said: “The sales and customer acceptance of Smiggle in each of the countries we have entered have been exceptional.”

“Managing director John Cheston has led Smiggle to become a truly unique global brand.”