Card Factory sales and profits surge thanks to store expansion and growing proposition

For the full year to January 31, 2025, Card Factory’s adjusted profit before tax increased by 6.3% from £62.1m to £66m, while EBITDA was up 4% at £127.5m.

Revenue during the year was also up by £31.6m from £510.9m to £542.5m, a 6.2% rise year on year.

Card Factory hailed the sucess of its expanding and “highly profitable” store estate, which saw revenue growth of 5.8%, while like-for-like store revenue was also up 3.4%.

The cards and gifts specialist opened 32 net new stores during the year, bringing its store estate to a total of 1,090 as of January 31, 2025. It also noted its growing category proposition after 70% of its gift ranges were new for the year across baby, toys, gift food, balloons and confectionery.

The retailer added that it is looking to continue developing its omnichannel offer but online like-for-like sales during the year were “in line” with the last financial year as it continues to “refine online ranges”.

Looking ahead, Card Factory said its expectations for the 2026 financial year remain “unchanged” and profit before tax growth is expected to be “weighted towards the second half”.

The retailer said trading during the first months of the new financial year has also been “in line” and it is seeing “good momentum” across its spring season products.

Chief executive Darcy Willson-Rymer said: “Our performance in FY25 demonstrates the strength and resilience of cardfactory and our strategy as we continue to evolve the business into a leading global celebrations group. We delivered strong revenue growth, outperforming the wider celebration occasions market.  Further expansion of our store estate combined with continued development of our gift and celebration essentials categories, were key drivers of our performance.

“We are now halfway into our ‘Opening Our New Future’ growth strategy and I am pleased with what we have achieved across the business. With entry into new markets, including the US, and expansion of existing partnerships, we are reaching more customers, in more locations.

“As we move into FY26, good momentum has continued during our Spring seasons. Despite an uncertain and inflationary backdrop, we remain confident in our ability to deliver mid-to-high single-digit percentage profit growth, underpinned by our strategic focus, our ongoing productivity and efficiency programme and our strong financial discipline. I want to thank our dedicated colleagues whose passion and focus on helping our customers celebrate life’s moments, continues to drive our success.”