Christmas can be make or break for many retailers. But one Cheshire-based women’s retailer is continuing its physical store expansion plans despite a dip in their revenues over Christmas.
Sosandar, which began life online only, recorded a 14.6% fall in revenue to £12.2m in revenue for the three months ending December 31, down from £14.3m last year.
The decline was anticipated as part of the brand’s strategy to reduce promotional activity and focus on improving its gross margin, which rose from 58.3% to 64.7%.
Despite the YoY dip, the brand’s overall Q3 performance was strong compared to the first and second quarters of the current financial year, with a 50% rise in revenue, a significant improvement from the same period last year.
Sales through third-party partnerships, including Next and M&S, remained strong as the retailer confirmed it is on track to meet its full-year guidance of £40.5m in revenue and £1m pre-tax profit.
Sosandar is also continuing its expansion into physical retail, securing two new store locations in Bath’s SouthGate shopping centre and Harrogate’s James Street.
The new sites will add to the four stores opened since autumn 2024 in Chelmsford, Cardiff, Marlow and Newcastle’s Metrocentre, all of which have performed well according to the business.
Sosandar added: “Overall trading remains in line with market expectations for the current financial year, with January starting well and pleasing levels of full price sales, despite the well-publicised challenging macro-environment.”