Peppa Pig pushes up sales at HTI

TOY designer HTI said the continuing popularity of children’s TV characters such as Peppa Pig and a rise in demand from overseas retailers have driven up sales.

The Fleetwood-based company, which develops products under licence from children’s TV and film characters, saw sales grow by 9% to £72m in the year March 31, the company said.

Overseas sales also increased to 25% of total sales following new deals with Babycentre in the Middle East, Walmart in North America and a worldwide deal with French supermarket chain Carrefour. It now operates from 70 countries worldwide.

John Hutt, chief executive of HTI, said: “Our strategy of continued investment in new products and new licenses is helping innovate our target categories and drive growth, which will remain our primary focus over the coming year.

“We’re also delighted with the increasing contribution that our non-UK markets are making to total sales, where new relationships with major global retailers provide an opportunity for further growth in the coming year.”