REG - Character Group PLC - Trading update

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RNS Number : 1431P  Character Group PLC (The)  16 January 2026

 

 

 

THE CHARACTER GROUP PLC

("Character," the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Designers, developers, and international distributor of toys, games, and
giftware

 

 

 

Trading Update

 

 

 

London: Friday, 16 January 2026: The Character Group (AIM: CCT) will be
holding its Annual General Meeting today at 11.00am.

 

Ahead of this, the Company provides the following trading update:

 

As reported last month when we announced our annual results for the year ended
31 August 2025, trading conditions across all the Group's markets remain
challenging.  Sales on a like-for-like basis in the four months leading up to
Christmas 2025 were c.11% below the same period in 2024.  Whilst the first
half sales to 28 February 2026 will be lower than the comparable half last
year, sales in the second half of the current year are projected to improve
and result in the Group's revenue for the year as a whole to be in line with
last year's full year outcome.  Despite the anticipated flat turnover for the
2026 financial year, due to the mix and enhancements within our product
portfolio, Group profits (before tax and highlighted items) are projected to
more than double.

 

Our UK, Scandinavian and international sales teams are looking forward to the
upcoming international Toy Fairs in London next week and Nuremberg the
following week where we shall be showcasing our broad range of products
including launching several new additions and brand extensions.

 

Character continues to enjoy a strong balance sheet, a healthy net cash
position and substantial unutilised working capital facilities.

 

The Company also announces the completion of its share buyback programme
announced on 29 October 2024 (and extended and increased as announced on 30
May 2025), pursuant to which Panmure Liberum purchased a total of 1,126,549
Ordinary Shares on behalf of the Company for total consideration (including
associated dealing costs) of £2,964,105.

 

The Company is scheduled to publish its half-year report for the six months
ending February 2026 during May 2026.

 

 

 Enquiries to:
 The Character Group plc                                                 Group website: www.thecharacter.com (http://www.thecharacter.com)

 Jon Diver, Joint Managing Director                                      Product ranges can also be viewed at www.character-online.com

                                                                       (http://www.character-online.com)
 Kiran Shah, Joint Managing Director

 Hamun Shah, Group Finance Director

                                                                       FTSE sector: leisure goods:
 Office:  +44 (0) 208 329 3377

                                                                       FTSE AIM All-share: symbol: CCT
 Email: info@charactergroup.plc.uk (mailto:info@charactergroup.plc.uk)

                                                                         CHARACTER GROUP PLC CCT Stock | London Stock Exchange
                                                                         (https://www.londonstockexchange.com/stock/CCT/character-group-plc/company-page)

                                                                         Market cap: £42m

 Panmure Liberum (                                                       Allenby Capital Limited

 Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)                                     (Joint Broker)

 Atholl Tweedie, Investment Banking                                      Nick Athanas, Corporate Finance

 Rupert Dearden, Corporate Broking                                       Amrit Nahal/Tony Quirke, Sales & Corporate Broking

 Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7886 2500                                              Tel:  +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

 TooleyStreet Communications Limited

 (Investor and media relations)

 Fiona Tooley

 Tel:  +44 (0) 7785 703523

 Email: fiona@tooleystreet.com (mailto:fiona@tooleystreet.com)

 

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