Clinton cheered by improved trading

THE new boss of Clinton Cards said his firm’s “single-minded focus” on the customer helped deliver improved trading over Christmas.

Darcy Willson-Rymer, who joined the company from coffee chain Starbucks in October, announced a rise in like-for-like sales for the Clintons brand of 0.8 per cent in the five weeks to 1 January, compared with a 2.6 per cent decline in the previous 16 weeks.

The greetings and gift card chain, which operates 630 Clintons stores and 141 Birthdays outlets, has been on the retail critical list after plunging to a £10.7 million annual loss amid falling sales.

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Willson-Rymer, who has started a review into all aspects of the business including its store portfolio and digital offering, admitted there was still much more to be done in the company’s turnaround.

However, he added today: “Since I joined Clintons, we have had a single-minded focus on the customer. Our Christmas trading update recognises the positive impact of this approach.”

Clinton said this included improved customer service and making sure it had the right products in store.

The improvement at Clintons was offset by a deteriorating performance at Birthdays, where like-for-like sales were 2.7 per cent lower than a year ago. Overall, the group’s like-for-like sales were 0.4 per cent higher.

Willson-Rymer added: “There is clearly more work to be done and I am looking at this within my strategic review. Despite a tough retail climate, we remain in line with the board’s expectations.”

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