Angling Direct’s record-breaking UK sales performance continues

The UK’s dominant fishing tackle retailer has reported record sales for the last financial year, underpinned by the success of its over 600,000-strong loyalty card membership and the opening of another six stores to take its estate to 58.

Angling Direct saw group revenue increase 13.8% to £103.9m, bolstered by record UK sales of £99.2m driven by both an instore and online performance which substantially delivered the group’s £100m objective announced in May 2024. Total UK like-for-like sales growth came in 11.9%, up at £93.6m, with stores delivering strong revenue growth of 11.1% to £56.4m.

UK online sales were also buoyant – up 20% to £42.8m (£35.7m) However, its performance across Europe saw a £0.5m loss on the back of £4.7m (£4.9m) sales.

CEO Steve Crowe told investors: “Angling Direct has delivered another strong performance in FY26, achieving significant progress against our medium-term targets despite well documented challenges in the broader consumer sector. Our MyAD loyalty and repeat purchase membership club continues to underpin our success, and it has gone from strength to strength with UK membership in the year increasing 46% to over 600,000. This remains a clear competitive differentiator, allowing us to leverage unique customer insights to attract new customers and complementing our ongoing UK store strategy which saw the group open outlets in six new catchment areas, bringing our footprint to 58.”

Commenting on the conflict in the Middle East, Crowe said:.“Following its onset, we have experienced softer trading and additional costs, including distribution fuel surcharges and increased freight. The group has mitigated these such as there is no impact on our FY27 expectations at this stage and we continue to review levers to offset any further additional short-term costs through savings elsewhere.

“Despite these short-term challenges, the Board remains confident in the long-term growth prospects for Angling Direct and we are pleased to announce upgraded medium term objectives, having substantially achieved the existing ones in the two years since publication.

“Our core objective remains unchanged, and I am confident that with our agile business model and strong fundamentals, we are well positioned to navigate the period ahead and fully capitalise on the opportunities available to us.”