Portmeirion set to smash sales record for the fifth year running
PORTMEIRION is expecting its fifth consecutive year of record sales after strong Christmas demand for its luxury tableware.
The Aim-listed tableware producer, which also owns Spode, Royal Worcester and Pimpernel, yesterday forecast revenues of over £58m before tax for the 2013 calendar year. The figure is five per cent up on 2012.
Portmeirion said it had a cash pile of around £6m at the end of the year, down from £7.5m the year before as it spent £3.9m buying the long leasehold interest in its Stoke-on-Trent warehouse.
Non-executive chairman Dick Steele said: “The economic conditions in many of our markets remain challenging but we continue to drive growth through our strong brands, innovative designs and attention to quality.” Portmeirion, which is famed for its Botanic Garden pattern, saw its biggest success in Korea, where revenue was up 25 per cent on 2012.
It also received a sales fillip from more than £500,000 worth of sales of bone china mugs and plates with his Royal Highness Prince George’s name.
The company expects to announce preliminary results on 20 March. Shares rose 3.17 per cent yesterday to close at 732.50p.