Shoe Zone swings to first half loss
Shoe Zone has swung to a loss in the first half of its financial year after experiencing a “difficult” trading environment.
In the six months to 29 March 2025, total revenue declined to £71.5 million from £76.5 million a year earlier.
Subscribe to TRBWhile store revenues fell by 10.3% to £53.3 million due to the retailer trading from 31 fewer stores, online sales climbed by 6.4% to £18.2 million.
Meanwhile, Shoe Zone posted a pre-tax loss of £2.3 million for the period compared to a profit £2.6 million at the same time in the prior year. The retailer said this was mainly due to weakened consumer confidence and unseasonal winter weather in its first quarter.
The retailer said: “Shoe Zone delivered a satisfactory performance in the period against the continuing backdrop of weak consumer confidence and macro/global economic volatility.”
Shoe Zone was trading from 278 stores at the period end and is continuing to work on its refit and relocation programme, which means it now has 187 stores converted to its new, larger format. It is also continuing to invest in its digital platform and head office infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Shoe Zone said: “The second quarter has shown improvement, but the trading environment continues to be difficult as consumer confidence continues to be low.
“During the second quarter, we have seen more stability/reduction in the price of containers, and a strengthening of sterling against the dollar, both of which will start to benefit in the second half of this financial year.”
