Fast-growing Gloucestershire cookware retailer ProCook has enjoyed another 12 months of impressive growth, with turnover up nearly 40 per cent for the second year running and gross profits up 44 per cent.
The Gloucester business, which has just won the Willans-sponsored Growth Business of the Year award in the inaugural SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards in September 2021, said its turnover had now passed £53.5 million.
Profits for the firm, which saw the majority of its growth online and now employs an estimated 559 staff, were up from £25.4 million last year to £36.6 million for the 12 months to April 1 2021.
‘The directors are enthused by the opportunities we see ahead of use to grow our customer base in the UK to develop our ranges and product offer and to progress without expansion into new markets,’ said founder and director Daniel O’Neill.
‘The directors remain confident in the flexibility and resilience of ProCook’s business model.’
Former software engineer, Mr O’Neill, founded the then mail-order company from his Gloucestershire cottage in 1996 with a lorry load of goods.
It was not always plain sailing. He was forced to buy the firm back from administrators in the financial crisis of 2008, but has since gone on to grow the firm to almost 48 high street stores – including its Gloucester Quays outlet.
In January 2021 the Gloucestershire businessman was reportedly mulling over a potential sale of the now Quedgeley headquartered business for price tag of £100 million.
While a sale has not been ruled out, news since has suggested the business is focused on selling direct to consumer on the continent, as well as through Amazon. A stock market flotation is believed to have been ruled out.
Last year turnover was up 40 per cent from £27.8m to £38.95m and gross profits up 36 per cent, from £18.76m to £25.456m for the period to 29 March 2020.
