Very Reports Record Earnings as Strategic Pivot Delivers Growth Across Key Categories

The Very Group has demonstrated resilience and strategic agility in its latest fiscal results, navigating a challenging macroeconomic landscape to deliver the best earnings performance in the company’s history. For the 52 weeks ending 27th June 2026, the digital retailer reported a 3.4% increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching £317.5 million. This financial milestone underscores the effectiveness of the group’s unique business model, which integrates multi-category digital retail with flexible, embedded financial services.

While the broader retail environment has been defined by caution and shifting consumer spending habits, Very’s ability to maintain a stable revenue profile—clocking in at £2.09 billion for the group—highlights the strength of its diversified offering. Within this total, UK-specific revenue saw a modest but positive uptick of 1.3%, rising to £1.86 billion. This growth trajectory was anchored by strong performances in high-engagement categories, specifically homeware, toys, and beauty, which collectively served as the engines of the group’s success throughout the year.

Strategic Growth Across Core Categories

The retailer’s performance in the toy and beauty sectors was a standout feature of the annual report, with both categories recording a 3.2% growth rate. Within the toy division, the surge was heavily influenced by a 17% jump in the "boys’ toys" segment, reflecting effective procurement and trend-spotting during key shopping periods. Simultaneously, the beauty category benefited from a 4.8% increase in fragrance sales, a resilient segment that continues to perform well as consumers seek out affordable luxury and personal care products.

The home division, another pillar of Very’s retail strategy, saw a robust growth of 6.4%. This performance was particularly notable for the success of home accessories, which experienced a significant 21.5% surge. This dramatic uptick suggests that consumers remain invested in their living spaces, prioritizing smaller, high-impact items that refresh the home environment. Additionally, bedroom furniture sales grew by 6.6%, indicating that the retailer’s curated collections are resonating with families looking to balance style and functionality.

However, the year was not without its hurdles. Other key categories faced headwinds during the same period. The electricals division saw a slight decline of 0.4%, reflecting a broader market trend where consumers have been more selective with high-ticket technology purchases. Similarly, the fashion and sports categories experienced a 4.6% downturn. Despite these figures, Very remains optimistic about its sports segment. The retailer highlighted that its sports offering grew by 9.7% in other respects, bolstered significantly by the high-profile return of Nike to its platform in the spring of 2026. This partnership is viewed as a foundational step for future recovery and growth in the fashion and sports departments.

A Period of Transformation and Operational Milestones

Reflecting on the year’s performance, Robbie Feather, CEO at The Very Group, emphasized the importance of the company’s long-term vision. "FY26 has been another year of strong progress and significant milestones for The Very Group," Feather told Retail Gazette. "Against a challenging market backdrop, we delivered the best earnings performance in the Group’s history while continuing to strengthen our unique proposition, combining multi-category digital retail with flexible ways to pay."

A central element of this success, according to leadership, has been the retailer’s relentless focus on its core customer base: the modern family. By prioritizing a seamless shopping experience and maintaining a customer-centric ethos, Very reported its highest-ever customer satisfaction score. "Our continued focus on the families we serve, together with the passion and dedication of our talented colleagues, helped us achieve our highest-ever customer satisfaction score," Feather added.

Beyond retail performance, 2026 marked a pivotal year for the group’s technological infrastructure. The company reached a critical milestone in its multi-year digital transformation strategy, successfully migrating over 95% of its customer traffic to the new "Skyscape" platform by the end of the fiscal year. This transition is essential for the company’s future, as it provides a more scalable, responsive, and data-driven foundation for the online shopping experience. The platform upgrade is expected to enhance site stability and improve the customer journey, from browsing to checkout.

Expanding the Brand Portfolio and Logistics Capabilities

Very has been proactive in expanding its retail footprint by adding over 80 new brands to its platform throughout the year. The addition of high-profile names such as Estée Lauder, Salomon, and Dusk reflects a strategic move to broaden the retailer’s appeal and capture a wider demographic. By diversifying its inventory, Very is not only catering to existing customers but also positioning itself to attract new segments who may previously have looked elsewhere for these specific brands.

The retailer has also made significant investments in its logistics and fulfillment infrastructure. A new partnership with InPost has been introduced to provide customers with greater choice, control, and convenience regarding their delivery and returns. In an era where post-purchase convenience is as critical as the initial sale, these enhancements are designed to reduce friction and build long-term brand loyalty.

Looking Toward the Future

As The Very Group moves into the new fiscal year, the leadership team is maintaining a steady hand. The combination of a strong balance sheet and a clear, refreshed strategy suggests that the company is well-positioned to navigate the ongoing volatility in the retail sector. The focus remains on building an even stronger retail and credit proposition, which has long been the hallmark of the Very brand.

"We have strong momentum and a refreshed strategy focused on building an even stronger retail and credit proposition, broadening our appeal to win new families and exploring new avenues for growth," Feather noted. "We are confident in the strength of our business model and the foundations we have in place to deliver long-term growth and continue helping families get more out of life."

The company’s ability to balance the demands of a high-tech retail environment with the personal touch of a family-focused brand will be critical in the coming months. With the digital transformation largely complete and the product assortment continuing to expand, Very is signaling to both investors and consumers that it is prepared for the next phase of its evolution. As it looks to capitalize on the growth of its home and beauty categories while working to revitalize its fashion and electricals offering, the retailer’s emphasis on long-term sustainability and customer experience remains at the forefront of its operational agenda.