Mountain Warehouse defies weather with record results

Outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse has defied the unpredictable weather that has plagued fellow chains and reported a fourth year of record results.

A string of retailers have blamed the mild winter and the unusually cold spring that followed for lacklustre sales. But Mountain Warehouse, which is considering a stock market float, said sales rose 28.7% to £141.4 million, or 19.3% on a like-for-like basis, in the year ended in February, while pre-tax profit jumped 36% to £16.2 million.

“There would have been a time when I was terrified by a hot, sunny day. But we have worked very hard to weather-proof the business,” said boss Mark Neale. That has involved stocking running, cycling and yoga gear, as well as camping furniture, he added.

Current trading “remains strong” thanks in part to a new children’s range designed by the wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall.

Neale said that the company had bid for “a couple of stores” belonging to collapsed menswear chain Austin Reed, in a contest he expects to be “quite competitive”.