Software business Sanderson optimistic as digital retail picks up

SOFTWARE business the Sanderson Group is optimistic as its results show signs of improvement.

Revenue increased to £9.86m for the six months to 31 March 2016, compared to £9.09m in the same period last year, with both its digital retail and enterprise divisions showing improved performances.

Sanderson improved order levels during the period, reaching £6.02m compared with £4.94m the year before, including major orders from Leeds-based Clipper Logistics as well as Tottenham Hotspur.

Pret-tax profits for the group, which provides digital technology for the retail, wholesale and logistics sectors, jumped to £1.17m from £905,000 in the same six months of 2015.

Investment is planned across the whole business, which employs 230 people across its operations including 50 in Sheffield.

Group chief executive, Ian Newcombe, said: “The general economic environment has continued to improve and although sales cycles do remain protracted, the Group has achieved a very high level of business from new customers during the period.

“The board continues to adopt a cautious approach, the very strong order book and healthy balance sheet, together with an extensive list of sales prospects, provide a good level of confidence that the group will continue to make further progress and deliver trading results in line with market expectations for the current year ending 30 September 2016.”