Sales zoom 32% at ASOS for 5 months ended Aug 31

Highlights:

• Retail sales up 32% (UK retail sales up 13%, International retail sales up 46%)
• Retail margin up by 90bps and gross margin up by 90bps
• International retail sales accounted for 65% of total retail sales (2011: 59%)
• Profit before tax and exceptional items up 42% to £13.2m
• Net funds of £27.9m
• 5 million active customers5 at 31 August 2012 (+36% year on year)

Nick Robertson, CEO, commented:

"Following our change of year end I am pleased to report another strong performance for ASOS for the five months ended 31 August 2012, with retail sales up 32% to £231m and profit before tax and exceptional items up 42% to £13.2m.

During the period we improved our product offer in terms of range, quality and price, invested in our customer proposition, made progress in developing the ASOS platform and continued to drive efficiencies from the business to fuel our future growth. At the same time we have reached the milestone of 5 million active customers worldwide.

We've also made a number of high calibre appointments recently, including a new Chairman, Executive Director: Product and Trading, Chief Information Officer, Supply Chain Director and Marketing Director. Additionally we have secured territory managers for the USA, France and Germany. These appointments will underpin the continued development of the business, both in the UK and internationally.

We remain positive in our outlook for 2012/13 as we continue our journey to becoming the number one online fashion destination for twenty-somethings, globally. Our International roll out continues and our 1:5:5 ambitions for the Group are unchanged."

ASOS is a global online fashion and beauty retailer and offers on the ASOS website over 50,000 branded and own label product lines across womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewellery and beauty. ASOS has websites targeting the UK, USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Australia and also ships to over 190 other countries from its central distribution centre in the UK.

ASOS plc