Omnichannel key for Aspinal of London December success

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jan 19, 2023

Bags were big for Christmas with luxury accessories brand Aspinal of London having outperformed over the important December trading period. It’s also looking forward to strong growth this year with “international markets a particular focal point”.

Sales for the month rose 15% year-on-year, backed by a strong omnichannel performance, with luggage, leather accessories and stationery all selling well for the season. 

Digital sales for the month also increased 15% on last year, while store sales grew by an impressive 40%. Of its two London flagship stores, Aspinal Regent Street recorded a 30% leap in sales, with an even better 90% rise at Aspinal Royal Exchange.

The only sales dip came from the Chinese market with strict Covid restrictions pushing sales down 5% but, overall, the business has shown a strong recovery since the pandemic.

As we reported recently, its accounts for the year to March 22 2022 saw sales up 29% to £29.8 million and underlying profits more than doubling to £4.1 million. That came as the brand closed 10 stores during the pandemic as part of a company voluntary arrangement.

Aspinal founder and chairman Iain Burton said its post-Covid strategy was to “focus on our roots as an online business supported by only the most prestigious and select retail partners and our unique flagship stores.”

He added: “I’m extremely pleased this strategy is proving successful and I’m proud to see our retail stores’ phenomenal performance over Christmas. Brand growth is the focus for 2023, with international markets a particular focal point.”