MONEY IN THE BANK: Jack Wills said Monday it has agreed to the terms of an enhanced funding package with HSBC, its principal lender, to support store expansion in 2016.
HSBC has agreed to increase Jack Wills’ credit by 10 million pounds, or $14.5 million, for a total of 30 million pounds, or $43.4 million, for the rest of this year. The company said it plans to open “up to ten additional stores” in Britain and Asia to meet growing demand.
Peter Williams, Jack Wills’ chief executive officer and founder, said: “This gives us the opportunity to grow the business globally through the summer and on towards Christmas, building on the positive trading we have enjoyed over the past six months.”
As reported in October, Williams returned to helm the company he set up with a university friend in 1999. He had taken on a hands-off role as a non-executive director in recent years. Last August he replaced Wendy Becker, a former management consultant, as ceo.
The planned store openings are to be detailed later in the year. The brand currently has more than 80 locations worldwide, mainly in big cities and university towns.
In the 2014-15 fiscal year, the company said it had seen group turnover increase by 2.1 percent to 132 million pounds, or $202.6 million, representing the 16th consecutive year of growth.
Pre-exceptional operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization increased by 12.5 percent to 8.1 million pounds, or about $12.4 million, in the same period.