AO has released its trading update for the last 12 months with John Roberts, the CEO and founder saying: “I am delighted to keep doing our talking on the pitch.”
The Bolton-based group announced that revenue growth was expected to be around 11%, with profits inline with upgraded guidance, at the top end of £45m-£50m. That would mean a 15% year on year increase, meaning profits growing quicker than sales.
“The numbers speak for themselves again and I am delighted to keep doing our talking on the pitch,” said Roberts.
“Our shared economics strategy and membership model, built on the foundations of brilliant retail basics, continues to deliver results. We continue to build momentum and all key metrics continue to improve, with an exciting pipeline of new initiatives ahead.”
In the update, AO said that it had hedging arrangements in place in advance of recent geopolitical developments, covering approximately 80% of forecast fuel usage and 100% of electricity usage which cover the full FY27 trading period.
At the period end it expected to have around £200m of liquidity.
Roberts continued by paying tribute to his staff and his family:
”In the coming weeks, AO will become the first company globally to reach one million Trustpilot reviews with a 4.9 rating from customers. Having founded AO 26 years ago in a small office with three people and a dream, I am incredibly proud to have reached this milestone, which is a testament to the entire team. To achieve that in a logistically difficult category highlights the structural advantage we have been building with world class quality at scale. This underpins our reputation as the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer and the value of it sits on our balance sheet at zero.
“I’d like to thank every AOer and every trading partner that has made it possible by embracing our relentless obsession with customers. In line with our values, my gran is delighted and I hope my mum is proud!”
The full year results to 31st March 2026 are expected to be published in 17th June.
