Image source: © 2025 Krish Capital Pty. Ltd.

Highlights:

  • ANG's total revenue rose 17% year-on-year to GBP 53.6 million, driven by strong UK sales and customer growth.

  • MyAD loyalty club membership surpassed 500,000 in August 2025, supporting higher transaction volumes online and in-store.

  • The Group expanded its footprint with new stores in Chester and Bradford, bringing its UK total to 55, while progressing its European presence in the Netherlands.

Angling Direct plc (AIM:ANG), a specialist omni-channel fishing tackle and equipment retailer, today announced its trading update for the six months ended 31 July 2025 (H1 26). The company reported double-digit revenue growth across its UK operations, further expansion of its store network, and ongoing progress in its European activities.

Revenue Performance

Total Group revenue for the first half of FY 2026 increased by 17.0% to GBP 53.6 million, compared with GBP 45.8 million in the prior-year period. UK revenues rose 17.8% in the second quarter, maintaining momentum from Q1 growth of 17.4%.

UK like-for-like sales grew 14.2%, supported by higher customer reach and engagement. The company’s loyalty programme, MyAD, continued its expansion, with membership rising from 409,000 in January 2025 to 496,000 by 31 July 2025, and exceeding 500,000 in August 2025.

Store Expansion and Online Growth

Angling Direct continued its store rollout programme during the half-year period, supported by its balance sheet strength. A new store was opened in Chester in May 2025, followed by another in Bradford after the period-end, bringing the total store count in England and Wales to 55.

Store sales benefited from increasing levels of footfall, while online sales in the UK grew through higher transaction volumes, reflecting rising customer numbers and the support of the expanding MyAD membership base.

European Operations

In Europe, the company’s Utrecht store marked its first anniversary in May 2025. Customer visits during June and July almost trebled compared to the same months in the prior year, underlining its growing presence in the region.

The Group’s European digital business continued to focus on Germany and the Netherlands, with sales increasing in both markets despite wider challenges in the European digital retail environment. Angling Direct stated it will maintain its primary digital emphasis on these two territories to build a sustainable European business model.

Balance Sheet and Shareholder Returns

As at 31 July 2025, Angling Direct reported net cash of GBP 12.5 million, compared with GBP 12.1 million at 31 January 2025. The slight reduction in cash year-on-year reflects investment in FY 2025, as well as continued investment in store rollout and digital shelf-edge technology during H1 26.

The Group also returned GBP 1.1 million to shareholders during the period through its ongoing GBP 4 million share buyback programme, initiated in December 2024. To date, GBP 1.7 million has been returned, reducing shares in issue by around 6%.