Revenues top £80m at Cotton Traders

SALES and earnings have continued to grow at Cotton Traders, the multi-channel clothing and footwear retailer founded by former England rugby captains Fran Cotton and Steve Smith.

Newly-filed accounts show pre-tax profits increased by 58% to £6.5m in the year to February, on sales of £80.3m, up nearly 4%.

During the period the Altrincham business opened six stores and closed eight leaving it with a total of 134. Some are stand-alone stores in locations such as the Lowry Outlet Mall and Cheshire Oaks. Others are concessions within garden centres.

In their report the directors said: “The Cotton Traders brand is well established and the group remains committed to maximising the brand’s profitability. The group traded satisfactorily in the 53 weeks under review.”

The group’s cash reserves stand at £10m. The group counts retailer Next among its shareholders.