Direct Golf UK, Europe’s leading multi-channel golf retailer, has announced a record year with both retail revenues and profits up for their financial year ending September 2011.
Despite the challenging economic conditions, the British-based retailer continues to buck the trend of retail businesses across the UK and drive through the recession and aid the recovery – with retail revenues up 42%.
Established in 1991 by British PGA Professional John Andrew, Direct GolfUKremains 100% privately owned by its founder. Now Chairman, Andrew has taken the business from one store in Huddersfield to 17 stores across theUK, over 250 staff, a 75,000 sq ft warehouse and the largest, most responsiveness, database of golfers to become the leading multi-channel golf retailer in Europe.
Commenting on the results, Chairman John Andrew, said: “Our continued commitment at Direct GolfUKto offer World Class customer service, great prices with super fast delivery continues to be very popular with the golfing public. We have invested significantly in expanding and improving all aspects of our business and as a result have taken market share from our competitors in a very tough market place.”
With the opening of five new stores in 2010-2011, Direct Golf UK increased their retail portfolio from 12 to 17 sites across theUKand drove retail revenues to their highest levels in the company’s 20 year history. The five new store locations include:Reading, Peterborough, Farnborough, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, providing Direct Golf UK with greater high street geographical coverage.
In addition, the launch of a new and improved website as well as Direct Golf TV helped increase online sales by 14% year-on-year and early figures indicate much greater online activity already for 2012.
Andrew added: “When everything you read about seems to be doom and gloom, it’s great to have some good news and to see a British company flourishing despite the tough economic times.”
A proud British business with people at its core – good old fashioned hard work and commitment remain the key to Direct Golf UK’s success. With a hugely experienced and dedicated team of employees headed by Managing Director and PGA Professional Neil Bell, Direct Golf UK’s key values remain as true today as they did in 1991 – even as the largest employer of PGA Professionals in the UK.
Neil Bell, Managing Director, said: “To achieve 42% growth in retail revenue when there is little, if any, growth on the high street – is truly outstanding. Direct GolfUKis celebrating 20 years in business and what better way to do that is than with a record financial year for both sales and profit.”
With an improved online shopping experience at www.direct-golf.co.uk, new retails sites and the creation of Direct Golf TV, Direct GolfUK continue to expand and improve every area of their business.
“We have aggressive expansion plans for the business and theses results demonstrate that golfers appreciate our mix of World Class customer service, huge stocks, super fast delivery allied with the best prices in the UK. Our aim is to have a total of 20 Direct Golf UK stores by the beginning of the New Year. So watch this space for further details of new store openings” added Bell.