Sanderson Design Group reported a 6% rise in first-half revenue, as strong demand in North America and a recovery in its manufacturing arm offset continued softness in its home UK market.
The luxury interiors group, whose brands include Morris & Co. and Zoffany, said revenue rose to £51.4m in the six months to 31 July, from £48.3m a year earlier, and that it expects full-year trading to be in line with market expectations.
North America was again the star performer, with brand product sales there up 19% at constant currency, more than offsetting an anticipated 8% decline in the UK.
Lisa Montague, Chief Executive Officer of Sanderson Design Group, said: “This H1 performance demonstrates the strength of our brands and the successful execution of our strategic priorities. Continued momentum positions us well to deliver full year results in line with expectations. Our balance sheet remains strong with net cash of £10.2m on 31 July 2026 after having purchased £1.4m of shares into the EBT.”
The group said the region remains its highest-margin, most profitable and fastest-growing market, helped by strong appetite among US buyers for its heritage British designs. Its Highgrove collection has driven Sanderson-brand sales in the US up 45%, while a Morris & Co. tie-up with The Huntington lifted that brand’s North American sales 14%.
The CEO said they were ‘particularly excited about our prospects in the US’.
Manufacturing also rebounded, with external third-party revenue up 19% to £11.0m on strong US demand, which the company put down to restructuring and its “Future Factory” programme across its Lancaster and Loughborough sites.
Licensing revenue rose 13% to £4.9m, boosted by the renewal of a global agreement with Blinds2Go that brought income forward, while its fast-growing direct-to-consumer channel more than doubled to £1.6m, albeit from a small base.
The group ended the period with net cash of £10.2m, up slightly on its January year-end, after buying £1.4m of shares into its employee benefit trust.