Customer Satisfaction Soars to All-Time High Net Promoter Score of 42
- Record EBITDA of £307.1m for Very Group
- Higher adjusted EBITDA margin at 14.7%
- Group revenue fell 1.8% to £2.09bn
- Very UK revenue remained flat at £1.83bn
- Profitability boosted by financial services arm and homeware sales
- Toys and beauty saw growth of 4.3% and 5.2% respectively
- Fashion and sports sales declined 3.7% in a discounted market
- Electricals revenue down 2%
- Group gross margin increased to 36.6%
- Operating costs reduced by £36.4m year-on-year
- Customer satisfaction at highest-ever net promoter score of 42
- Technology investment program nearing completion
- Relaunch of Very Media Group and HelloStudio introduced
The Very Group has posted a record earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of £307.1 million for the 52 weeks ended June 28, 2025, marking a 15.9% increase from the previous year. The online retailer attributes this success to tighter cost control and a shift towards higher-margin categories despite weaker sales. Group revenue fell 1.8% to £2.09 billion, while Very UK’s revenue remained stable at £1.83 billion, down 0.2%. Profitability was bolstered by growth in financial services and homeware sales, with toys and beauty seeing a rise of 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively. Fashion and sports sales declined 3.7% in a heavily discounted market, while electricals revenue dropped 2%. The group’s gross margin increased to 36.6%, and operating costs decreased by £36.4 million year-on-year, accounting for 22.3% of revenue (down from 23.2% in the previous year). Customer satisfaction reached an all-time high net promoter score of 42, up two points. During this period, Very Group relaunched its retail media network as Very Media Group and introduced HelloStudio, a data-driven creative content service for internal and external brands. The company also progressed in a multi-year technology investment program, moving core systems to the cloud and upgrading its web platform to enhance online performance and collaboration with tech partners.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about The Very Group’s financial performance, including EBITDA, revenue, and margin increases, as well as specific categories’ performances. It also mentions the company’s progress in technology transformation, customer satisfaction improvement, and new initiatives like Very Media Group and HelloStudio. While it doesn’t contain any major issues such as misleading information or personal opinions presented as facts, it could be considered slightly more informative if it provided more context about the economic backdrop and the company’s future plans.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about The Very Group’s financial performance, including EBITDA, revenue, and profitability, as well as details on specific categories and initiatives such as the relaunch of its retail media network and HelloStudio. It also includes a quote from the CEO. However, it does not delve into long-term trends or possibilities, antifragility, accountability, intellectual honesty, staying on topic, evidence, actionable insights, or solutions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The Very Group’s financial performance impacted UK retail industry
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the financial performance of The Very Group, including its EBITDA, revenue, and cost control measures. This information is relevant to investors and stakeholders in the company as well as those following the UK retail industry.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.
www.retailsector.co.uk