Online fashion success story Boohoo said today it would top market expectations for profits and sales again this year after first-quarter results showed revenue up 45% as it adapted quickly to the coronavirus lockdowns.
Shares of the company rose nearly 10% in early deals as it said it was buying the online businesses of Oasis and Warehouse.
Boohoo said snapping up the pair of struggling brands would help it build on its momentum at a time when many brick-and-mortar retailers are collapsing.
Boohoo, which owns the Nasty Gal and prettylittlething brands, has become a hit with a generation of younger consumers who shop on their mobile phones and share fashion tips on social media.
Last year it bought Karen Millen and Coast.
"Whilst there is a period of uncertainty within the markets in which we operate, the Group is well-positioned to continue making progress towards leading the fashion e-commerce market globally," its chief executive John Lyttle said.
Boohoo said its revenue surged to £367.8m from £254.3m a year earlier, well ahead of the consensus of a 15% growth, according to analysts.
The analysts said they view the acquisition of Oasis and Warehouse "as a low risk and likely high returning opportunity, one that provides further evidence of the long-term potential in boohoo's multi-brand platform".
Manchester-based Boohoo bought the brands from Hilco Capital for £5.25m.
