HUNTER GAMES: Hunter is gaining traction under strategic private equity investors Searchlight Capital Partners, with sales and profits up for the 2014 fiscal year.
The company said in the 12 months to December 31, pre-tax profit rose 5.5 percent to 15.4 million pounds, or $23.4 million, while sales were up 17 percent to 95.7 pounds, or $145.4 million.
During the year, Hunter opened its first flagship, on London’s Regent Street, and established a joint venture with Itochu in Japan to develop the brand in that market. A second flagship is set to open in Tokyo in spring 2016.
The brand also said it made “significant” investments in a new, multilanguage, multicurrency e-commerce platform; and in the development of new product categories, IT systems and the operational infrastructure.
James Seuss, chief executive officer, said important progress was made “in further developing Hunter from a single-product business into a global lifestyle brand.”
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He added the brand segmentation strategy “set out by the business in 2013 is now in place,” with strong sell-throughs of new Hunter Original product categories, and the introduction of the new line, Hunter Field. “We are currently on track to deliver further growth in 2015,” Seuss added.
The Hunter Original spring rtw and accessories show took place in London earlier this month, with looks including lightweight dégradé parkas and loose dresses with hoods and drawstring waists. Sheer rubber coats were layered over striped silk dresses or shorts.
The Hunter Original brand was launched at London Fashion Week in February 2014, and it now includes footwear, outerwear, knitwear and accessories, as well as rubber boots. Hunter Field, a specialist performance category, launched earlier this year.