The Very Group: adjusted EBITDA said to rise 3.4%, driven by home and sport

The Very Group's adjusted EBITDA before securitisation interest is said to have risen 3.4% year-on-year, according to figures reported by Drapers for the financial year ended 27 June. This would mark the third consecutive year of growth for this metric at the group, which also owns Littlewoods.

Group revenue is said to have remained broadly stable, at £2.09bn. Very UK is said to have seen sales rise 1.3%, to £1.86bn, while Very Finance, which is said to account for around 90% of sales made through customer loans, is said to have posted a 7.1% rise in revenue, to £464.5m.

Home and sport lead the way

The home category is said to have been the group's best performer, with sales up 6.4%, driven by home accessories. The sport offer is said to have grown 9.7%. Toys and beauty products are said to have grown 3.2%, with a 17% jump for boys' toys and a 4.8% rise for perfume.

Operating costs are said to represent 22.1% of revenue. The group is said to have ended the financial year with 4.1 million active customers, having delivered 41.1 million items and onboarded 80 new brands.

Sale process left in limbo

Against this backdrop, Carlyle, the owner of The Very Group, is said to have abandoned the sale of the online retail group, after potential buyers were unable to meet the asking price of £2bn. Despite interest from companies such as China's JD.com, the process, tentatively launched in June, is said to be considered unlikely to succeed, leaving the American fund as owner for the foreseeable future.

Robbie Feather, chief executive of The Very Group, said: « As we enter FY27, we have strong momentum and a refreshed strategy focused on building an even stronger retail and credit proposition, broadening our appeal to win new families and exploring new avenues for growth. We are confident in the strength of our business model and the foundations we have in place to deliver long-term growth and continue helping families get more out of life. »

The return of Nike to Very, expected in spring 2026, should give fresh momentum to the sport category.