UK retailer makes history with best year ever

The UK’s leading fishing tackle retailer has reported the best year in its history with record revenues and profits despite a ‘persistently challenging’ consumer backdrop in the region.

During the year ended 2026, Angling Direct opened six new stores to take its total to 58 and reported revenue up 13.8% from £91.3m to £103.9m.

UK retail store sales increased 11.1% to £56.4m (£50.7m) with online revenue jumping 20% to £42.8m (£35.7m) to deliver total sales from the region of £99.2m (£86.4m) – a rise of 14.8%.

European sales were down 4.7% from £4.9m to £4.7m. The unaudited trading update will be followed by an announcement of its final results on May 12.

The strength of its performance in the UK leaves the group having substantially delivered on its medium term objective of £100m of UK revenues within two years. The achievement reflected the continued success of its MyAD omni-channel customer loyalty club – which boasts over 600,000 mmbers – alongside various self-help initiatives, including improved third-party ranging and the availability of its ‘increasingly compelling’ own brand offer.

The group has used its strong balance sheet to accelerate its new store opening programme through the year. These stores – alongside those opened in FY25 – contributed an additional £5.6m in sales.

Outside the UK, Europe’s online sales decreased as it maintained its focus on the key markets of Germany and the Netherlands. Further progress was made in reducing operating losses and positioning the operation for long-term profitable growth with the ambition to build a sustainable European business.