A clear customer offering, with a refreshed strategy, building momentum and significant untapped growth potential in the value retail sector
Highly relevant purpose and meaningful ambition
Clear purpose – to inspire reading, learning, creativity and play – and ambition to become the favourite destination for affordable, screen-free activities for the whole family. This has significant relevance, particularly in a digital age when customers are looking for ways to connect and spend their time.
4,400
new product lines introduced in FY25
Clear position in value retail sector, with all-year-round appeal
Clear and distinct position in the value retail sector, providing affordable screen-free products across four specialist categories: Books, Toys & Games, Art & Craft, Stationery. Action taken to successfully grow the all-year-round attraction of the brand.
Much-loved brand, with significant opportunity to grow awareness
The Works is a favourite amongst our loyal customers, with a value proposition that appeals to a broad customer demographic. There is significant opportunity, and work is underway, to increase our brand awareness and attract even more people to discover and love what we do.
Accessible and convenient multi-channel proposition
Over 500 stores across the UK and Ireland, with plans to open 60 net new stores over the next five years. Supported by an online presence that increases customer convenience and accessibility of our proposition.
503
stores
Significant market share growth potential across all key categories
Ongoing evolution of product proposition, with hundreds of new products landing monthly, capturing customers’ imaginations and driving footfall. Significant opportunity remains for further market share gains across Books, Toys & Games, Art & Craft, Stationery.
New five-year strategy to transform the business is delivering results
The business has a new strategy, ‘Elevating The Works’, focused on growing brand fame, improving customer convenience and being a lean and efficient operator. Delivery of these plans will have a transformative impact on the business, enabling us to deliver sales in excess of £375m and an EBITDA margin of at least 6% within five years. Excellent progress has been made, which is translating into an improved financial performance.
+0.8%
FY25 total LFL sales growth
Strong financial position
The business maintains a strong financial position, with a reduced cost-base, continued product margin growth, positive sales momentum and a strong balance sheet.
