Global expansion fuels Rapha’s full-year sales growth

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Oct 25, 2016

Cycling lifestyle brand Rapha increased sales by 25.6% to £48.8m in the year to 31 January 2016, driven by strong international growth, range expansion and increased market penetration.

The company, headquartered in London, offers cycling clothing and accessories in 13 Rapha Clubhouses in Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific. The innovative Clubhouse concept, part retail, part café, was rolled out in the period in Amsterdam, Kilver Court and London Spitalfields, further cementing the direct to consumer model.

Sales in the USA/Canada grew by 28% in 2015, while Asia Pacific experienced a 29% growth. Sales in Europe were up 23%. Online sales also grew in all regions and now account for 72% of total sales.

EBITDA for the period rocketed by 79% to £3.5m, and pre-tax profit increased by 145% to £1.1m.

Rapha also said it Cycling Club, which launched December 2014, has now reached over 7,600 paying members. “This membership model is profitable and extremely successful for us, contributing to our growth and providing a strong community platform for the future of the brand and business,” said Simon Mottram, Rapha founder and CEO.

2016 has continued to deliver growth for the company with sales up 30% in the year to date and no signs of a Brexit slowdown.

“Through our aspirational brand and unique business model we will continue to focus on developing international markets as we pursue our growth plans. We will continue our investment in infrastructure in the next 12 months, including launching five new Clubhouses in the US alone, and will continue to focus on delivering the best products and an unrivalled customer experience,” commented Simon Mottram.

So far this year Rapha has opened new stores in Seoul, Copenhagen and Chicago.