Picture of Halfords logo

HFD Halfords News Story

0.000.00%
gb flag iconLast trade - 00:00
Consumer CyclicalsSpeculativeMid CapSuper Stock

REG-Halfords Group PLC Halfords Group PLC: Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

============

Halfords Group PLC (HFD)
Halfords Group PLC: Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

25-Jun-2025 / 07:00 GMT/BST

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

25 June 2025 

                                           Halfords Group plc  

                     Preliminary Results for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025 (“FY25”) 

                                                     

                 A strong financial performance with underlying PBT ahead of expectations

                    High returning Fusion motoring services roll out continues at pace

                                                     

 

Halfords Group plc (“Halfords” or the “Group”), the UK’s leading provider of Motoring and Cycling services
and products, today announces its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2025.

                                                     

£m                                      FY25    FY24**   Change  LfL % Change
Headline Measures (Total Ops):                                               
Revenue                               1,715.2  1,712.8     0.1%         2.5% 
  • Autocentres                         710.3    715.7   (0.8%)         3.7% 
  • Retail                             1,004.9   997.1     0.8%         2.1% 
Gross Margin                            50.7%    48.2%  2.5ppts              
Underlying Profit Before Tax*            38.4     36.1      6.4%             
Underlying Basic Earnings per Share*    13.8p    12.7p     8.7%              
Dividend per Share                        8.8p    8.0p    10.0%              
Net Cash / (Debt) (ex-Leases)*           10.1    (8.1)     18.2              
Statutory Measures (Cont. Ops):                                              
Group Revenue                          1,715.2 1,696.5     1.1%              
Autocentres Revenue                     710.3    699.4     1.6%              
Gross Margin                            50.7%    48.5%  2.2ppts              
Reported (Loss) / Profit Before Tax     (30.0)    38.8   (68.8)              

*Alternative Performance Measures (“APMs”) are  defined on page 13.  **Headline measures for FY24  include
results for the discontinued Viking and BDL tyre and wholesale operations consistent with the presentation
in FY24.    The  statutory  measures  exclude  these discontinued  businesses  as  reported  in  the  FY24
consolidated financial statements. The narrative below is based on headline measures, as these include the
ongoing cost of running the discontinued tyre supply chain which is now outsourced. 

 

FY25 highlights

  ▪ Strong financial performance with Group sales up 2.5% on a like-for-like (“LfL”) basis and 6.4% growth
    in underlying PBT to £38.4m, above the previously guided £32m to £37m range.
  ▪ 250bps of gross margin expansion YoY, £35m of  cost savings and £43.0m of free cash generation  (FY24:
    £29.4m) as momentum grew through H2. Ended the year with balance sheet net cash.
  ▪ Total dividend increased by 10% to 8.8p, in line with policy.
  ▪ 50 Fusion locations are now trading and are on track to double garage-level profitability at  maturity
    with an  average payback  period of  c.2  years, improving  the garage  experience for  customers  and
    colleagues and more closely linking the motoring assets within a town.
  ▪ Membership of the Halfords Motoring Club exceeded 5m customers.

Henry Birch appointed as Chief Executive Officer in April with new Managing Directors appointed to run the
Retail and Autocentres businesses.

 

Henry Birch, Chief Executive Officer of Halfords, commented: 

“I am very pleased to be announcing a positive  set of results for Halfords. The business has delivered  a
strong financial  performance, made  good strategic  progress and  has a  clear plan  in place  to  tackle
external inflationary forces. Halfords has a unique combination of retail stores, garages and mobile vans,
a trusted brand,  scaled omnichannel infrastructure,  and access to  valuable proprietary data.  It is  an
exciting time to be joining and I see significant potential to optimise and grow this fantastic business.”

 

 

Strong financial performance

  ▪ FY25 Group LfL sales up 2.5%  YoY (reported sales up 1.1%) with  Autocentres up 3.7% (c.40% of  sales)
    and Retail up 2.1% (c.60% of sales). Motoring now represents c.80% of sales.   
  ▪ Gross margin up 2.5  ppts YoY to  50.7% (FY24: 48.2%), accelerating  vs. H1 (H1  FY25 gross margin  up
    1.6ppts YoY), with  further gains from  Better Buying,  pricing optimisation, mix  into higher  margin
    services and favourable hedged FX rates.
  ▪ Delivered cost savings  of c.£35m, offsetting  c.£33m of  inflation (mostly due  to increasing  labour
    costs as  a  result of  a  c.10% increase  in  the minimum  wage  and maintenance  of  an  appropriate
    differential for skills).
  ▪ Underlying PBT of  £38.4m (FY24: £36.1m),  above the  top end of  previous guidance and  up 6.4%  YoY.
    Reported loss of  £30.0m (FY24:  profit of  £38.8m) primarily due  to a  non-cash goodwill  impairment
    driven by the impact on  discount rates of an increase  in UK gilt yields over  the last 12 months  as
    applied to revised forecasts which  incorporate changes to National  Insurance and minimum wage  rates
    through the forecast period.
  ▪ Autocentres underlying EBIT (ex-Avayler) up 21.2%  to £18.3m, reflecting Better Buying, strong  growth
    in Service, Maintenance and Repair (“SMR”)  and productivity gains. Underlying Autocentres EBIT  (inc.
    Avayler) was £15.7m  and reported  Autocentres EBIT  (inc. Avayler)  was £1.2m  due to  the impact  of
    non-cash non-underlying items as detailed in the CFO report which follows.
  ▪ Retail underlying EBIT of £39.0m (FY24: £41.1m)  slightly down YoY, with strong gross margin  progress
    and tight cost control offset by higher wage rates and colleague reward. Reported Retail EBIT loss was
    (£14.9m) primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment noted above.

Resilient balance sheet

  • Strong cash generation with a free cash inflow of £43.0m, up £13.6m YoY (FY24: £29.4m), driven by  the
    increase in underlying profitability and disciplined working capital management.
  • Continued progress  on inventory  with stock  down £12.3m  YoY supporting  an increased  average  cash
    position which resulted in lower interest expense YoY.
  • Ended the year with net cash (pre-IFRS16) of £10.1m, an improvement of £18.2m YoY.
  • Final dividend of 5.8p declared taking  the total FY25 dividend to  8.8p, an increase of 10.0%  (FY24:
    8.0p). 

Current trading and outlook 1  1  

  • Trading in the early weeks of FY26 is in line with expectations.
  • As previously indicated,  we plan  to offset  another year  of elevated  inflation in  FY26 through  a
    combination of pricing,  buying and cost  opportunities. We continue  to be somewhat  cautious on  the
    outlook for consumer spending.
  • We remain committed to a strategy emphasising motoring services across our unique combination of
    Retail and Autocentres, the successful execution of which will enable significant value creation in
    future years.
  • Accordingly, we will make further progress towards  our target of c.150 Fusion garages, delivering  at
    least 60 in FY26 and the balance in FY27 with average capex of c.£200k per site.
  • In FY26 we will continue to invest in Halfords Motoring Club, our digital customer experience and
    contact centre technology, and systems and leadership capability across the business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investor and analyst meeting: 

A presentation for analysts will take place at 10am at Peel Hunt, 7th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M
2AT. To join the live webcast of this presentation please follow this link:  

  2 Halfords Group plc FY25 Preliminary Results - Webcast  

A recording will subsequently be uploaded to  3 www.halfordscompany.com. 

 For further information: 

Investors:                                                                                
Holly Cassell, Director of Investor Relations & ESG   4 investor.relations@halfords.co.uk 
Media:                                                                                    
Rob Greening / Jane Glover, Sodali & Co.                            5 halfords@sodali.com 
Notes to Editors                                                                          
 6 www.halfords.com    7 www.avayler.com    8 www.tredz.co.uk    9 www.halfordscompany.com
                                                                

Notes to Editors 

Halfords is the UK’s leading provider of motoring and cycling services and products. Customers shop at 373
Halfords stores, two  Performance Cycling  stores (trading  as Tredz),  542 garages  (trading as  Halfords
Autocentres, McConechy’s, Universal, National Tyres and Lodge Tyre) and have access to 280 mobile  service
vans (trading as Halfords Mobile Expert and National) and 504 commercial vans. Customers can also shop  at
halfords.com and tredz.co.uk for pick up at their local store or direct home delivery, as well as  booking
garage services online at halfords.com.  Through its subsidiary Avayler,  Halfords also sells the  Group’s
bespoke, internally  developed  software as  a  SaaS solution  to  major clients  in  the US,  Europe  and
Australia. 

Cautionary statement 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements  with respect to the financial condition,  results
of operations,  and  businesses of  Halfords  Group plc.  These  statements and  forecasts  involve  risk,
uncertainty and assumptions because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in
the future. There  are a  number of  factors that could  cause actual  results or  developments to  differ
materially from those  expressed or  implied by  these forward-looking  statements. These  forward-looking
statements are made  only as at  the date  of this announcement.  Nothing in this  announcement should  be
construed as a profit forecast. Except as required by law, Halfords Group plc has no obligation to  update
the forward-looking statements or to correct any inaccuracies therein. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO Review

Strong business performance

I would like to begin by thanking every  single Halfords colleague for their truly exceptional efforts  in
delivering the FY25  results that we  are announcing today.  These results represent  a fantastic  outcome
against a challenging backdrop, which  included a 10% increase in  the National Living Wage, low  consumer
confidence driving  elevated savings  rates  and weak  discretionary  spending, and  ongoing  geopolitical
uncertainty. Despite this backdrop, we delivered like-for-like sales growth of 2.5%, a 250bps increase  in
our gross margin  and a  further £35m of  cost savings.  Combined, these results  have enabled  underlying
profit before  tax to  increase by  6.4%  to £38.4m,  even after  the reinstatement  of  performance-based
colleague incentives, reflecting the strong progress made during the year. We have converted 28 garages to
our Fusion  format since  our interim  results announcement,  taking the  total number  of Fusion  garages
trading to  50,  and acquired  our  5  millionth Halfords  Motoring  Club  member. And  we  have  invested
significantly in leadership capability, positioning us for further success in the years ahead.

Halfords’ differentiated eco-system

In my first set of results as chief executive of  Halfords, I wanted to outline what attracted me to  this
fantastic business. As  the leading  provider of motoring  and cycling  products and services  in the  UK,
Halfords offers customers an unmatched  level of service, expertise  and convenience through its  national
network of retail stores, autocentres and  mobile vans. It is this  combination of assets which makes  the
business truly differentiated as a motoring services provider, with the benefits clear to see in the first
wave of Fusion towns delivered over the last 12 months. Halfords’ trusted brand, developed over more  than
a century, is instantly recognisable to millions of customers  who in turn provide us with data on  nearly
half the UK car parc. This combination of category leadership, a strong and trusted brand underpinned by a
responsible approach to  doing business, a  scaled physical and  digital operating infrastructure,  12,000
committed colleagues  and  unrivalled data  is  what makes  us  both unique  and,  I believe,  capable  of
significant growth and value creation. 

I have spent  my first 10  weeks getting under  the skin of  the Halfords business:  spending time in  our
stores, garages and distribution  centres to experience  our operations in  action, conducting deep  dives
into each business unit, and understanding what makes Halfords really tick. I have been made to feel  very
welcome by every single colleague I have met to date,  and it’s clear that our people are at the heart  of
what makes Halfords so unique – through their passion, expertise, and commitment to serving our  customers
to the highest possible standard, every single  day. This gives me a great  deal of optimism as I look  to
the future of Halfords as a truly data-driven,  digitally enabled business with the needs of customers  at
our core.

The strategy, put in place by my predecessor Graham Stapleton, remains the right one, and I would like  to
pay tribute to him  for the critical  role he played  in taking Halfords  from a traditional,  store-based
retailer to  a business  deriving  more than  half  of its  revenue from  services,  with an  emphasis  on
less-discretionary B2B  and motoring  categories. My  priority is  to optimise  the Halfords  business  by
leveraging its unique strengths  to drive profitable  growth and enhance  returns for shareholders,  while
continuing to create value for  all stakeholders which includes our  strong commitment to our ESG  agenda.
While there  is more  to do  to realise  these benefits  to their  fullest potential,  I can  already  see
significant opportunities in the  business and would like  to thank all our  colleagues for their  ongoing
support through this journey.

Optimising garage services

The results of the investments we are making in both strategic initiatives and operational excellence  are
becoming apparent in the profitability  of our Autocentres business.  The Autocentres segment delivered  a
21.2% increase in earnings before interest and tax compared to last year 10  2  as the Fusion roll out has
accelerated and  learnings  from the  programme  have informed  our  approach to  talent  acquisition  and
colleague development more  broadly across our  garage estate. We  have continued to  profitably grow  our
presence in the  highly fragmented  and strategically important  Service, Maintenance  and Repair  (“SMR”)
market, where increasing labour  costs have been  reflected in industry-wide  price increases. The  Fusion
Motoring Services programme is more than a  physical refit of our garages and  retail car parks – it is  a
people-led transformation,  with  changes to  the  culture and  operating  model in  our  garages.  Garage
leadership is therefore critical in driving the excellent  returns we have seen in the 50 sites  delivered
to date, with garage-level contribution on track to  double on average at maturity, delivering an  average
payback period of just  two years. We continue  to see scope  for c.150 Fusion garages  in total. We  have
budgeted for at least 60 Fusion conversions in FY26 taking the total number trading by the end of the year
to more than 100, with the remainder to follow in FY27.

Integral to the Fusion programme are more rigorous recruitment and induction processes for centre managers
which are now  being introduced across  our wider garage  business. In locations  where leaders have  been
brought into  the  business  using these  processes,  we  have  seen an  increased  emphasis  on  customer
experience, high quality standards  and better identification of  additional services required to  improve
vehicle safety and performance, resulting in  improved profitability and reduced colleague turnover.  This
cultural shift is  driving mix into  higher margin SMR  work, and when  combined with increased  servicing
capacity and referrals  from store through  the Fusion programme,  results in the  significant uplifts  in
site-level profitability that we have reported to date.

Having reflected the increased labour costs introduced by  last year’s Autumn Budget in our forecasts,  we
have identified a number of sites which are sub-scale from a profitability perspective and as such  cannot
be reconfigured to offer the level of customer experience  to which we aspire. These sites are also  often
located close to another Halfords garage earmarked for Fusion, i.e. with scope to increase capacity and to
offer an improved customer and colleague experience, and as such we have taken the decision to exit  them.
The majority of impacted colleagues will be redeployed to nearby Halfords garages and the planned closures
will be immediately earnings accretive.

Further steps to optimise our garage estate are central to our plan for FY26 under the leadership of  Adam
Pay, who takes over as Managing Director of  Garages next month, joining Halfords from MyCar,  Australia’s
largest garage group.

Our B2B  business  continues to  provide  important diversification  and  exposure to  less  discretionary
end-markets. The  Fusion  programme is  increasing  our ability  to  maintain national  fleets  by  adding
specialist ramps and extra equipment for servicing light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles in  our
consumer garages, and our Commercial Fleet Services (“CFS”) business has continued to grow its client list
having secured new contracts with major national businesses including Seras, Greenergy and Milk & More.

The activities which take  place in our  CFS business are considerably  higher in risk  than those in  our
retail stores or consumer  garages as much of  the activity is  at the roadside or  relates to HGVs.  Very
sadly, two of our colleagues working in the CFS business  lost their lives this year, and I would like  to
offer my sincerest condolences  to their loved ones.  We work hard to  ensure that we implement  effective
Health and Safety policies and procedures  at all times and across all  areas of our business and we  also
strive to continuously  develop and  improve these  so that we  ensure the  safety of  our colleagues.  We
continue to invest in Health and Safety and embed our culture of safety across the whole business.

Avayler, our proprietary garage management software product, continues to make progress with its  flagship
US contract with Bridgestone reaching a key milestone  in H1. That contract has progressed beyond  testing
into pilot phase and is now live in  Bridgestone’s first new-format site in Charlotte, North Carolina.  As
expected, it remains loss-making (FY25 loss of £2.6m on revenue of £2.7m; FY24 loss of £1.3m on revenue of
£2.3m). One of Avayler’s key North American clients, ATD, entered a Chapter 11 process in FY25 and as such
we do not expect to generate  further revenues from that contract in  FY26. We will continue to focus  our
efforts on successful delivery of our major contracts with garage services businesses worldwide.

Leveraging the retail business

Retail is where the vast majority of customers  first interact with our brand and remains responsible  for
more than half of Group sales. As such we are  delighted to see our store sales returning to growth  while
recovering gross  margin after  a  challenging few  years  for the  sector.  Our retail  offer  emphasises
specialism, advice and service add-ons,  providing a clear point  of difference and corresponding  pricing
opportunity vs.  competitors  in  this  space  which are  predominantly  generalist  retailers  or  online
pureplays.

Our motoring services proposition does not reside purely in our garages; in fact, we conduct around 80% of
vehicle service events  in the car  parks of our  retail store estate.  Our ability to  provide on  demand
services in-store, including fitting  the ‘3Bs’ (bulbs, batteries  and blades), repairing windscreens  and
conducting basic vehicle checks to identify opportunities for referral to the local garage, is a  critical
differentiator in the Halfords model. In fact, more than a third of the 3Bs products purchased in the year
were fitted by our in-store specialists, with the proportion of revenue derived from store-based  services
increasing in both motoring and cycling.  At the same time, vehicle  checks conducted in our retail  store
car parks  allow us  to identify  additional work  which can  be booked  directly into  our local  garage,
allowing us  to  reach customers  before  our  competitors and  reduce  reliance  on paid  media,  with  a
corresponding saving in marketing spend compared to others in the market.

It is our integrated motoring services offer, which also includes our mobile van proposition, which  truly
differentiates Halfords by providing customers with the ultimate convenience. Fusion seeks to amplify this
critical point of difference versus our competitors, none of whom can offer customers our unique blend  of
product, service and expertise  through a national  network of physical infrastructure  in addition to  an
effective online presence.

The majority of  signups to our  5m-strong Halfords Motoring  Club, which offers  discounted or free  MOTs
depending on  membership tier,  take place  either in  our retail  stores or  online. Club  membership  is
associated with positive customer behaviours (frequency, average spend, cross-shop) and ultimately  higher
lifetime value, also providing meaningful benefits for our Autocentres by creating a low-cost  acquisition
route for high margin SMR work.

Premium membership offers customers enhanced benefits in return for an annual fee and currently  generates
c.£18m of  recurring  annual  subscription revenue  while  driving  even more  valuable  behaviours,  with
customers spending around 3x as much as non-members on average. Around half of Premium members start  life
with a  free membership  that they  subsequently  upgrade, further  demonstrating the  value of  the  Club
proposition to customers. With further investment into our  platform and data capability, I am excited  by
the potential that exists in Halfords Motoring Club and the future value it could unlock.

Within our retail markets, in motoring we have continued to invest in our market leading own-brand ranges,
notably in car cleaning where we have  further expanded our ‘Halfords Advanced’ range, offering  customers
exceptional value for money for a high-quality product. We have supplemented this with additional  breadth
in branded premium cleaning ranges  from Autoglym and Chemical  Guys. Dash cams are  a great example of  a
product category  where  the  customer benefits  from  our  specialist knowledge  and  service  capability
alongside an extensive product  range, performing strongly in  the year with over  half of the units  sold
also being fitted in store.

In the cycling market, assisted by warm spring weather, we have seen positive signs of recovery in  recent
months. The cycling market  has faced numerous  challenges in recent years.  Products are manufactured  on
long lead times and  the industry found itself  with significant excess inventory  when the pandemic  boom
gave way to a cost-of-living crisis  and associated collapse in demand  that has persisted for some  time.
Halfords’ inventory has been  well-managed throughout; however, the  industry has been highly  promotional
through a period  of consolidation.  While our  cycling business has  undoubtedly been  impacted by  these
factors, our scale in the market  and focus on exclusive brands has  enabled us to be more disciplined  in
our promotional activity while increasing our market share in the post-pandemic period 11  3 .

We have also  continued to  invest in new  product development,  stretching our Boardman  brand into  more
premium product  ranges  where demand  has  been more  resilient,  growing our  Cycle2Work  business,  and
all-the-while maintaining our  strong position in  the adult leisure  segment, as well  as in kids’  bikes
where our sales are  around two-thirds of the  market in volume terms.  With our market leading  position,
championing active  travel  is an  important  aspect  of our  ESG  strategy.  In FY25  we  partnered  with
sustainable transport organisation, Sustrans, to conduct research  into the barriers to active travel  for
children and their  families and  are using  the findings  to influence  the UK  Government’s Cycling  and
Walking Investment  Strategy  which is  currently  being  updated. Cycling  remains  a core  part  of  our
portfolio, and we are  optimistic about our prospects  in a market with  some very clear recovery  drivers
over the mid to long-term.

I continue to believe there is scope to generate significantly improved profit from our retail business as
revenue growth returns, particularly online but also by improving our store experience for customers. I am
delighted to be welcoming Jess Frame as our Managing Director of Retail in the coming months. Jess  brings
20 years of  senior leadership  experience in  Retail and Consumer,  including most  recently as  Managing
Partner of  Boston Consulting  Group’s London  office. I  look forward  to working  with her  and am  very
confident in her ability to take our retail business to the next level.

Driving cost and efficiency

The challenging market conditions we have faced in recent years have required significant cost savings  to
be made in the business, with c.£70m of savings delivered in the three years to FY24. While our success in
the past  makes  incremental  savings more  challenging  to  find,  the team  delivered  another  £35m  of
efficiencies in FY25 to broadly offset the £33m of inflation running through the business in the year. The
key initiatives behind this result are largely as described in our interim results and we are delighted to
see these programmes going from strength to strength. As a reminder:

  ▪ Our Better Buying programme, now in its second  year, contributed £21m of incremental gross profit  as
    we leveraged stronger partnerships with a smaller number of key suppliers.
  ▪ The restructuring of our  tyre supply chain announced  at the start of  the year, with wholesale  tyre
    operations outsourced to  Bond International, resulting  in more  than £4.4m of  cost saved  alongside
    improved same and next day availability across our garage network.
  ▪ Disciplined working capital management resulted  in a higher average  cash balance through the  period
    and correspondingly lower interest charge, down  £2.2m year-on-year. We consequently ended the  period
    with net  cash of  £10.1m (excluding  IFRS16 lease  debt), an  improvement of  £18.2m in  our  closing
    position.

Current trading

The positive trading  momentum in some  categories in  the final quarter  of FY25 continued  into the  new
financial year, helped by warm spring  weather and a late Easter.  However, trends have varied across  our
markets – for example, the Cycling market has  performed very strongly but the Tyres market has  exhibited
further declines.

Outlook 12  4 

As I look ahead to FY26,  I am cautiously optimistic: optimistic  because of the unique position  Halfords
has in the market, the differentiated  nature of our eco-system, and  the commitment of our colleagues  to
realising the business’s full potential; but  cautious because of continued macroeconomic uncertainty  and
its impact  on the  way our  customers feel  about spending  their money.  While inflation  appears to  be
moderating and  interest  rates are  falling,  the  negative outlook  for  employment and  the  impact  of
geopolitical instability continues to weigh  on confidence and is keeping  the savings ratio high  despite
rising real incomes. However, the year has started as expected and with levers including pricing  strategy
and further buying synergies we expect to be able to mitigate the substantial cost headwinds that we  face
in the year ahead.

We have also experienced challenges during the deployment of a new third-party warehouse management system
into our second  distribution centre (“DC”)  in Coventry  following its successful  implementation in  our
Washford DC last  year. While  the issues have  been well-managed  with only limited  disruption to  stock
availability in our stores, our contingency plans  have resulted in non-recurring additional costs to  the
business. We continue to work with the system provider to optimise performance and return the site to full
productivity, which we expect to achieve before the end of H1.

Our plans in FY26  focus on maximising  the returns from our  existing asset base  while investing in  our
platform to  unlock  the  value of  our  unique  combination  of assets.  Our  investment  programme  will
prioritise:

  ▪ Continuation of priority initiatives from FY25, including further roll out of Fusion to more than  100
    locations in total and improvements to Halfords Motoring Club;
  ▪ Investment to improve customer experience, including in our contact centre and digital channels; and,
  ▪ Preparatory work to support implementation of a new ERP system in the business.

As a result of the factors described above, including  the additional costs incurred in H1 in relation  to
the new warehouse management system, FY26 profit before tax is expected to be weighted to H2.

FY26 capex is expected to  be in the region of  £60m to £70m, including the  cost of the continued  Fusion
roll out. This increase in capital expenditure, together with payment of the FY25 colleague bonus, results
in a forecast reduction  in free cash  flow year on  year with FY26  net debt to  EBITDA expected to  fall
comfortably within the target range of 0.0x to 0.8x excluding leases.

Next update

In the coming  months, I intend  to spend  more time identifying  priority areas for  optimisation in  the
business where I can see the most significant  opportunities to unlock future value. My early  impressions
suggest that technology and data are strong candidates here,  but I plan to update the market with a  more
comprehensive assessment when we release our interim results later in the year.

Our next update will be the HY26 trading statement, which is expected in October 2025.

 

 

Henry Birch

Chief Executive Officer, Halfords Group plc

25 June 2025

CFO Report 

 Group financial results  

 All numbers are stated on a post-IFRS 16 basis unless otherwise indicated. 

 Result from Continuing Operations     FY25     FY24    Change 
                                         £m       £m  25 vs 24 
Revenue                              1,715.2 1,696.5      1.1% 
Gross Profit                          869.1    822.6      5.7% 
Gross Margin                          50.7%    48.5%   2.2ppts 
Underlying EBIT                        49.5     56.2   (11.9%) 
Underlying EBITDA                     180.6     183.4   (1.5%) 
Net Finance Expense                  (11.1)   (13.1)     15.3% 
Underlying Profit Before Tax            38.4    43.1   (10.9%) 
Net Non-Underlying Items             (68.4)    (4.3)           
Reported (Loss) / Profit Before Tax  (30.0)     38.8           
Underlying Basic Earnings per Share   13.8p    15.1p    (8.6%) 

In FY24, the Group entered into an agreement with specialist tyre distributor Bond International (“Bond”),
which now manages the tyre distribution and warehousing operations for the consumer garage business.  This
restructuring resulted in the closure of the  tyre wholesale and distribution operations that formed  part
of the  Axle  Group  acquisition  in  December  2021, and  these  closed  operations  were  classified  as
‘Discontinued’ in our accounts for FY24. The decision to outsource our tyre and warehousing operations  to
Bond delivers  significant  financial benefit  to  the  Group, however,  it  also results  in  some  costs
previously incurred in the discontinued  Viking operation now being  reflected in the continuing  consumer
garage business by  way of a  tyre distribution fee  paid to Bond.  A comparison to  the results of  Total
Operations last year better reflects relative performance.

A reconciliation of  Underlying Profit Before  Tax (“PBT”) from  Continuing Operations to  the Total  FY24
result is provided in  the table below. No operations  were discontinued in the  52 weeks ending 28  March
2025 (“FY25”).

                                                         FY25   FY24    Change 
                                                           £m     £m  25 vs 24 
Underlying Profit Before Tax from Continuing Operations  38.4   43.1   (10.9%) 
Underlying Loss Before Tax from Discontinued Operations     -  (7.0)         - 
Underlying Profit Before Tax – Total Operations           38.4  36.1       6.4%

The following table  shows the  same results  for FY25  as above  but with  Total Operations  as the  FY24
comparative and is the basis of the narrative which follows.

 Result from Total Operations           FY25     FY24    Change 
                                          £m       £m  25 vs 24 
Revenue                              1,715.2  1,712.8      0.1% 
Gross Profit                           869.1    825.3      5.3% 
Gross Margin                           50.7%    48.2%   2.5ppts 
Underlying EBIT                         49.5     49.2      0.6% 
Underlying EBITDA                      180.6    177.8      1.6% 
Net Finance Expense                   (11.1)   (13.1)     15.3% 
Underlying Profit Before Tax             38.4    36.1      6.4% 
Net Non-Underlying Items              (68.4)   (16.2)           
Reported Profit / (Loss) Before Tax   (30.0)     19.9           
Underlying Basic Earnings per Share    13.8p    12.7p      8.7% 

FY25 Group underlying PBT of £38.4m (FY24: £36.1m) was up £2.3m or 6.4% compared to the result from  Total
Operations in  the  prior period.  This  strong performance,  despite  continued inflationary  and  market
headwinds, resulted in  the reinstatement  of variable performance  related incentives  across the  Group,
leading to increased costs year-on-year (“YoY”) which are reflected in these results.

Group underlying  earnings  before interest  and  tax (“EBIT”)  was  £49.5m (FY24:  £49.2m),  while  Group
underlying earnings before  interest, tax,  depreciation and  amortisation (“EBITDA”)  was £180.6m  (FY24:
£177.8m), reflecting an increased depreciation and amortisation charge in the period.

Group revenue of  £1,715.2m grew 0.1%  year-on-year, and 2.5%  on a like-for-like  (“LfL”) basis,  despite
trading against strong comparatives from the previous  year (FY24: +5.0%). H2 saw significant momentum  as
trading improved in both the Retail  and Autocentres businesses from the  decline of 0.1% LfL reported  in
H1.

The Group gross margin % was 50.7%, 250 basis points (“bps”) higher than the prior period. This very
strong performance reflected the success of our Better Buying programme and pricing optimisation, together
with a favourable mix into higher margin servicing categories in Autocentres. Gross margin % is now at the
highest level seen in the last three years.

Group operating  costs of  £819.6m grew  5.6% YoY  (FY24: £776.1m).  This was  driven by  the  significant
inflationary impact of the 10%  National Living Wage increases in  FY25 and the reinstatement of  variable
performance-related  incentives,  offset  by  operating  cost  efficiencies,  including  the  benefit   of
outsourcing tyre warehousing and distribution to Bond.

The Group’s underlying profitability and excellent working capital management supported a £13.6m  increase
in free cash flow  YoY to £43.0m (FY24:  £29.4m). The resulting improvement  in our average cash  position
drove a 15.3% (equivalent to £2.0m) YoY reduction in net finance expenses.

In total, the  cost and  efficiency programme  delivered £35m  of savings,  offsetting more  than £33m  of
inflationary headwinds.

Non-underlying items resulted  in a  charge of £68.4m  during the  period (FY24: £4.3m  charge). The  FY25
charge largely relates to a non-cash goodwill impairment  in the retail segment reflecting changes to  the
discount rate based on rising UK gilt yields as applied to updated forecasts which reflect the  additional
costs introduced by the Autumn Budget. Further details are provided below.

Detailed analysis of our sales performance, gross margin and operating costs are covered under  ‘Reporting
Segments’ below. Unallocated costs  of £5.2m (FY24:  £5.4m) represent amortisation  charges in respect  of
intangible assets acquired through business combinations which arise on consolidation of the Group.

Reporting segments 

Retail 

                         FY25     FY24   Change*  Sales mix 
                           £m       £m  25 vs 24          % 
Revenue               1,004.9    997.1      2.1%            
  • Motoring            648.6    644.6      2.3%      64.5% 
  • Cycling             356.3     352.5     1.7%       35.5%
Gross Profit            495.7    471.5      5.1%            
Gross Margin            49.3%    47.3 %  2.0ppts            
Operating Costs       (456.7)  (430.4)    (6.1%)            
Underlying EBIT          39.0     41.1    (5.1%)            
Non-underlying items   (53.9)    (1.5)                      
EBIT                   (14.9)     39.6                      
Underlying EBITDA       118.7    123.2    (3.7%)            

*Change in revenue is on a LfL basis

In Retail, our  services-led, specialist proposition  resonated well  with customers and  resulted in  LfL
sales growth of 2.1% compared to the  previous period, with total Revenue reaching £1,004.9m.  Pleasingly,
growth came from both Motoring and Cycling sales,  with both performing ahead of our initial  expectations
and accelerating through H2.  Cycling performed particularly well  in the final months  of the year,  with
kids’ bikes, Cycle2Work and Tredz continuing to be the stronger categories. In Motoring, our focus was  on
margin optimisation through effective pricing and promotion activity.

Success in our pricing and promotional strategy, continued  gains from our Better Buying programme and  an
improvement in the FX rate through cost of goods sold enabled us to deliver 2.0 percentage points (“ppts”)
of YoY Retail gross margin expansion.

Combined with ongoing cost savings, these factors enabled us to significantly grow operating profit in the
Retail business despite a 10%  increase in the National Living  Wage. This strong performance resulted  in
the reinstatement  of  performance-related  variable  incentives, the  triggering  of  which  resulted  in
reporting of Retail Underlying EBIT of £39.0m, a small decline YoY (FY24: £41.1m).

 

Autocentres 

As in the Group-level  disclosure above, the  table below shows Autocentres  segment performance with  the
prior period comparative reflecting only Continuing Operations. 

Continuing Operations                        FY25     FY24   Change* 
                                               £m       £m  25 vs 24 
Revenue                                     710.3    699.4      3.7% 
Gross Profit                                373.4    351.1      6.4% 
Gross Margin                                52.6%    50.2%   2.4ppts 
Operating Costs                           (357.7)  (330.3)    (8.3%) 
Underlying EBIT – continuing operations       15.7    20.8   (24.5%) 
Non-underlying items                       (14.5)    (2.8)           
EBIT – continuing operations                  1.2     18.0           
Underlying EBITDA – continuing operations    62.0     60.2       2.9%

*Change in revenue figures is on a LfL basis 

A reconciliation of Autocentres  Underlying EBIT from  Continuing Operations to the  Total FY24 result  is
provided in the table below. No operations were discontinued in FY25.

                                              FY25   FY24    Change 
                                                £m     £m  25 vs 24 
Underlying EBIT from Continuing Operations    15.7   20.8   (24.5%) 
Underlying EBIT from Discontinued Operations     -  (7.0)          -
Underlying EBIT – Total Operations            15.7   13.8     13.8% 

The following table shows the same information as above but with Total Operations as the FY24  comparative
(i.e. including the discontinued Viking and BDL tyre and wholesale operations as reported previously).  As
above, the narrative which follows uses the results of Total Operations as the prior period comparative as
they include the ongoing cost of running the discontinued tyre supply chain operations of Viking and  BDL,
which are now outsourced to Bond. 

Total Operations                        FY25     FY24   Change* 
                                          £m       £m  25 vs 24 
Revenue                                710.3    715.7      3.7% 
Gross Profit                           373.4    353.8      5.6% 
Gross Margin                           52.6%    49.4%   3.2ppts 
Operating Costs                      (357.7)  (340.0)      5.2% 
Underlying EBIT – total operations      15.7     13.8     13.8% 
Non-underlying items                  (14.5)   (14.7)           
EBIT – total operations                  1.2    (0.9)           
Underlying EBITDA – total operations    62.0     54.6     13.6% 

*Change in revenue figures is on a LfL basis 

Autocentres LfL sales growth of 3.7% to £710.3m (£707.6m ex-Avayler) was another very pleasing performance
in the context  of the  exceptionally strong 10.7%  LfL sales  growth reported in  FY24, especially  given
ongoing decline in the consumer tyres market. As such, this result is reflective of ongoing success in the
strategically important and highly fragmented Service, Maintenance and Repair (“SMR”) market, supported by
investment in garage leadership capability and the rollout of our Fusion motoring services model.

Improvements in our pricing strategy and gains from Better Buying accelerated in H2 and, combined with the
impact of sales mixing into higher  margin SMR based on the factors  outlined above, resulted in 3.0  ppts
expansion in the Autocentres gross margin to 52.6%.

Costs were well  controlled but  grew as  a percentage  of revenue,  largely due  to the  increase in  the
National Living Wage referred to above as we sought to maintain a pay differential for skills,  investment
in garage leadership capability  and the reinstatement of  variable performance incentives. Investment  in
leadership has already begun to yield benefits, with improved recruitment and training practices for local
management improving service quality,  resulting in more frequent  identification of additional  servicing
requirements on vehicles coming through our garages and increasing sales of margin accretive add-ons  such
as wheel alignment when a new tyre is fitted.

We have also realised £4.4m of savings through the tyre supply chain restructuring announced at the  start
of the year, which involved the outsourcing of wholesale operations to Bond. In addition to the  reduction
in cost from this arrangement,  we have seen better  tyre availability in our  garages and our ability  to
service customers making a distressed tyre purchase has improved as a result.

Ex-Avayler, Autocentres generated underlying EBIT of £18.3m in  the year, an increase of 21.2% YoY  (FY24:
£15.1m). This is an excellent result reflecting a very strong H2 performance which demonstrates the future
potential of this strategically important part of the business.

The Avayler  business continues  to be  reported within  the Autocentres  segment but  now operates  as  a
standalone business within  the Group. It  generated revenue of  £2.7m (FY24: £2.3m)  but incurred a  loss
before interest and tax of £2.6m (FY24: £1.3m) as investment continued. During the period ATD, a  customer
based in North America, entered a Chapter 11 process. The consequent loss of this key customer is expected
to impact Avayler’s financial performance in FY26.

Including Avayler, underlying EBIT increased by 13.8% to £15.7m (FY24: £13.8m).

Net non-underlying items 

The following table outlines the components of the non-underlying items recognised in the period: 

                                          FY25  FY24 

                                            £m    £m 
Organisational Restructure Costs          (1.5) (7.7)
Closure Costs                            (14.9)   4.4
Acquisition and Investment-Related Fees      -  (1.0)
Cloud Migration Costs                     (2.9)     -
Impairment of non-current assets         (49.1)     -
Net Non-Underlying Items Charge          (68.4) (4.3)

The majority of  these charges  are non-cash  accounting adjustments  (cash non-underlying  items in  FY25
totalled £5.7m). In particular:

  ▪ FY25 closure costs of £14.9m (FY24: £4.4m credit) mostly  related to the decision to exit a number  of
    sites under our garage optimisation programme (£11.3m of which is non-cash). This decision followed  a
    full review of  the future  profitability of the  Group’s physical  estate in light  of the  increased
    labour cost introduced by the Autumn Budget, and  with reference to sites’ suitability for the  Fusion
    programme. The closure of these garages will be immediately earnings accretive with colleagues  mostly
    redeployed to alternative sites and a degree of trade transfer in the local area. Non-underlying costs
    of £1.4m are expected in FY26 relating to this decision.
  ▪ FY25 impairment of non-current assets  of £49.1m (FY24: nil)  predominantly relates to retail  segment
    goodwill and reflects an  increased discount rate  due to trends in  UK gilt yields  over the last  12
    months. This increased discount  rate is applied  to forecasts which  reflect enacted and  anticipated
    changes to Employers’ National Insurance  Contributions and the National Living  Wage from FY26. As  a
    result of this review,  the Group recognised a  non-cash impairment expense of  £47.9m in relation  to
    goodwill and £1.2m in relation to right of use assets.
  ▪ FY25 organisational  restructure  costs  of £1.5m  (FY24:  £7.7m)  related to  the  ongoing  warehouse
    management system replacement programme.  Following successful deployment  in our Distribution  Centre
    (“DC”) in  Washford  in  FY25, implementation  in  our  Coventry DC  has  been  less  straightforward.
    Deployment into the final  DC has been delayed  while Coventry systems are  optimised by our  delivery
    partner and as such the project is expected to conclude by FY27.

Portfolio management   

The Group’s property portfolio remains extremely flexible.  With the exception of nine long-leasehold  and
three freehold properties in Autocentres, the Group’s locations are occupied under short-term leases,  the
majority of which are on standard lease terms, typically with a five-to-15-year term at inception.

The Retail store portfolio as at 28 March 2025  comprised 373 stores (FY24: 384 stores), having closed  11
stores during the period as we took our usual, rigorous approach to evaluating leases as they come up  for
renewal. The average remaining  lease length on  our Retail store  estate is 2.6  years, with 346  leases,
equivalent to more than 90% of our portfolio, expiring within five years.

The Autocentres  portfolio as  at 28  March 2025  comprised 632  locations (542  consumer garages  and  90
commercial locations) (FY24: 636 locations including 547 consumer garages and 89 commercial locations). In
late FY25, a decision was taken to close a  small number of these garage locations as detailed under  ‘Net
non-underlying items’ above. The average remaining lease  length on our Autocentres is around five  years,
and as in retail, we carefully evaluate all lease renewals when due.

As at 28 March 2025 there were a total of 784 vans in operation, 280 of which were Halfords Mobile  Expert
and National branded and 504 commercial vans (FY24: 770 vans in total).  

Net finance expense 

As noted above, excellent cash and working capital management resulted in a £13.6m increase in free cash
flow YoY to £43.0m (FY24: £29.4m). The resulting improvement in our average cash position drove a 15.3%
(equivalent to £2.0m) YoY reduction in net finance expenses, from £13.1m in FY24 to £11.1m in FY25.

Taxation 

The taxation charge for the period was £3.8m (2024: £5.5m), including a £4.6m credit (FY24: £0.5m credit)
in respect of tax on non-underlying items.  The effective tax rate of (12.8%) (FY24: 24.6%) is lower than
the UK corporation tax rate principally due to the impact of a non-deductible impairment of goodwill of
£47.9m in the period as described above.

Earnings per share (“EPS”) 

Underlying Basic EPS was  13.8 pence (FY24: 12.7  pence) and after non-underlying  items was (15.4)  pence
(FY24: 7.8 pence). Basic weighted-average  shares in issue during the  period were 217.9m (FY24:  217.4m).
The increase in the basic weighted-average  shares in issue during the period  is due to the reduction  in
the weighted-average number of shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust. 

Dividend  

Following the payment of an interim dividend of 3.0 pence per share on 17 January 2025 (FY24: 3.0  pence),
the Board is proposing an FY25 final dividend of  5.8 pence per share (FY24: 5.0 pence) which will  absorb
an estimated £12.6m (FY24: £11.0m) of shareholders’ funds. This is consistent with our stated policy which
requires our dividend to be 1.5x to 2.5x covered by profit after tax. It will be paid on 12 September 2025
to shareholders who are on the register of members on 8 August 2025. 

Capital expenditure 

Capital expenditure in the period totalled £52.7m (FY24: £43.7m).

Retail capital  expenditure was  £25.5m (FY24:  £22.8m),  of which  £11.6m (FY24:  £13.5m) related  to  IT
infrastructure and e-commerce, mainly focused on the development of the loyalty offer in Halfords Motoring
Club and the Group’s websites.  £13.9m (FY24: £9.3m) was invested  in stores, including £5.6m on  relaying
space in a small number of stores.

Autocentres capital expenditure  was £27.2m (FY24:  £20.9m) of which  £7.3m (FY24: £10.3m)  related to  IT
software expenditure on the development  of Avayler and PACE, the  garage workflow system. Expenditure  on
property and garage equipment in the  period was £19.9m (FY24: £10.6m),  of which c.£7.6m was incurred  in
supporting the rollout of the Fusion Motoring Services model across our estate.  

Inventories 

Group inventory held  at the period  end was £225.2m  (FY24: £237.5m). The  £12.3m reduction in  inventory
holding YoY reflects the Group’s success in its continued efforts to improve its inventory management.  

Retail inventory was £170.3m (FY24:  £178.8m), a decrease of £8.5m  YoY. Autocentres inventory was  £54.9m
(FY24: £58.7m), a decrease of £3.8m YoY.

Cashflow and borrowings 

Adjusted operating  cashflow  during the  period  was £185.7m  (FY24:  £185.6m). After  taxation,  capital
expenditure, net finance costs, foreign exchange movements, supplier financing and lease payments, a  free
cash inflow of £43.0m (FY24: £29.4m) was generated in the period. The increase in free cashflow of  £13.6m
from FY24 is due to strong underlying performance  (noting that colleague incentives will be cash paid  in
FY26), disciplined working capital management and a net income tax repayment in the period. 

Group net debt,  including IFRS  16 lease  debt, was £261.3m  at the  balance sheet  date (FY24:  £315.3m)
consisting of £19.1m of cash (FY24: £13.3m), £nil bank overdrafts (FY24: £nil), (£8.8m) in relation to the
Group’s revolving  credit  facility  (FY24: £19.6m),  (£0.2m)  of  other borrowings  (FY24:  (£1.8m))  and
(£271.4m) of lease liabilities (FY24:  (£307.2m)). The £54.0m decrease in  the Group’s net debt from  FY24
relates to  a £35.8m  reduction in  lease liabilities,  a £5.8m  cash inflow,  (£0.4m) of  other  non-cash
movements, and net  repayment of the  Group’s revolving credit  facility and other  borrowings of  £12.8m.
Excluding lease debt, Group net cash improved by £18.2m to £10.1m (FY24: net debt of (£8.1m)). 

 

Jo Hartley 
Chief Financial Officer 

25 June 2025 
Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures

In the reporting  of financial  information, the Directors  have adopted  various Alternative  Performance
Measures (“APMs”). APMs should be considered in addition to IFRS measurements. The Directors believe  that
these APMs assist in providing useful information on the underlying performance of the Group, enhance  the
comparability of information between reporting periods, and  are used internally by management to  measure
the Group’s performance.

The key APMs that the Group uses are as follows:

 1. Like-for-like (“LfL”)  sales represent  revenues from  stores,  centres and  websites that  have  been
    trading for at least one  financial reporting period (but excluding  prior period sales of stores  and
    centres closed during the period) at constant foreign exchange rates.
 2. Underlying EBIT are results from operating  activities before non-underlying items. Underlying  EBITDA
    further removes depreciation and amortisation.

                              Total operations Continuing operations
                                  FY25    FY24       FY25       FY24
                      
                                    £m      £m         £m         £m
Underlying EBIT                   49.5    49.2       49.5       56.2
Depreciation & Amortisation      131.1   128.6      131.1      127.2
Underlying EBITDA                180.6   177.8      180.6      183.4
                                                           

 3. Underlying Profit Before  Tax is profit  before income tax  and non-underlying items  as shown in  the
    Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.
 4. Underlying Earnings Per Share is profit after income  tax before non-underlying items as shown in  the
    Condensed Consolidated Income Statement, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares  in
    issue during the period.  The  weighted average number of shares  excludes shares held by an  Employee
    Benefit Trust and has been adjusted for the issue/purchase of shares during the period.
 5. Net Debt is current  and non-current borrowings less  cash and cash equivalents,  both in-hand and  at
    bank, as shown in the Condensed Consolidated statement of financial position, as reconciled below:

                               FY25    FY24
                    
                                 £m      £m
Cash and cash equivalents      19.1    13.3
Borrowings – current         (78.8)  (80.9)
Borrowings – non-current    (201.6) (247.7)
Net Debt                    (261.3) (315.3)
                                     

 6. Net Debt to Underlying EBITDA ratio is represented by the ratio of Net Debt to Underlying EBITDA (both
    of which are defined above). 
 7. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash from operating activities less capital expenditure, net  finance
    costs, supplier financing payments and lease payments; as reconciled below:

                                                                     FY25   FY24

                                                                       £m     £m
Net cash from operating activities                                  194.7  177.9
Add back:                                                                       
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and right of use asset      -  (2.8)
Capital expenditure                                                (53.2) (45.6)
Net finance costs                                                   (0.9)  (3.2)
Supplier financing                                                  (1.1)  (4.1)
Lease payments                                                     (96.5) (92.8)
Free Cash Flow                                                       43.0   29.4
                                                                           

 

 

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                                      Consolidated Income Statement

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

   

For the period                  52 weeks to 28 March 2025                52 weeks to 29 March 2024
                                  Before  Non-underlying                   Before  Non-underlying 

                        non-underlying             items   Total  non-underlying            items   Total 

                                   items        (note 4)                    items        (note 4) 
                 Notes                £m              £m      £m               £m              £m      £m 
                                                                                                          
Revenue                           1,715.2               - 1,715.2          1,696.5               - 1,696.5
Cost of sales                     (846.1)               - (846.1)          (873.9)               - (873.9)
                                                                                                          
Gross profit                        869.1               -   869.1            822.6               -   822.6
                                                                                                          
Operating          2              (820.3)          (68.4) (888.7)          (766.4)           (4.3) (770.7)
expenses 
Other income                          0.7               -     0.7                                         
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                          
Results from
operating          3                 49.5          (68.4)  (18.9)             56.2           (4.3)    51.9
activities 
                                                                                                          
Net finance        5               (11.1)               -  (11.1)           (13.1)               -  (13.1)
expense 
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                          
Profit / (loss)
before income                        38.4          (68.4)  (30.0)             43.1           (4.3)    38.8
tax 
Income tax         6                (8.4)             4.6   (3.8)           (10.3)             0.5   (9.8)
expense 
                                                                                                          
Profit / (loss)
after tax from                       30.0          (63.8)  (33.8)             32.8           (3.8)    29.0
continuing
operations 
Loss after tax
from                  9                 -               -       -            (5.2)           (6.9)  (12.1)
discontinued
operations
Total profit /
(loss) for the
year (continued                      30.0          (63.8)  (33.8)             27.6          (10.7)    16.9
and
discontinued)
Attributable to:                                                                                          
Equity                               30.2          (63.8)  (33.6)             27.6          (10.7)    16.9
shareholders
Non-controlling                     (0.2)               -   (0.2)                -               -       -
interest
                                                                                                          
Earnings per                                                                                              
share 
Basic              8                13.8p                 (15.4)p            15.1p                   13.3p
(continuing)
Diluted            8                13.2p                 (15.4)p            14.5p                   12.7p
(continuing)
Basic
(continuing and    8                13.8p                 (15.4)p            12.7p                    7.8p
discontinued)
Diluted
(continuing and    8                13.2p                 (15.4)p            12.2p                    7.4p
discontinued)

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.  

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                              Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

                                                                     52weeks to     52weeks to
                                                                 28 March 2025  29 March 2024 
                                                                            £m             £m 
(Loss)/profit for the period from continuing operations                  (33.8)           29.0
Other comprehensive income                                                                    
Cash flow hedges:                                                                             
          Fair value changes in the period                                  0.1          (1.3)
Income tax on other comprehensive income                                  (0.2)          (0.4)
Other comprehensive (loss) for the period, net of income tax              (0.1)          (1.7)
Total comprehensive (loss) / income from continuing operations           (33.9)           27.3
                                                                                              
Loss for the period from discontinued operations                              -         (12.1)
Total comprehensive loss from discontinued operations                         -         (12.1)
                                                                                              
Total comprehensive (loss) / income                                      (33.9)           15.2
Attributable to:                                                                       
Equity shareholders                                                      (33.7)           15.2
Non-controlling interest                                                  (0.2)              -

All items within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income are classified as items that are or
may be recycled to the Income Statement.                  

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.  

 

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                               Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

                                                                             28 March 29 March
                                                                            
                                                                                2025     2024 
                                                                       Notes      £m       £m 
           Assets                                                                             
           Non-current assets                                                                 
           Intangible assets                                                    432.7    483.9
           Property, plant and equipment                                         91.7     89.5
           Right-of-use assets                                            11    242.3    278.3
           Derivative financial instruments                                       0.3        -
           Trade and other receivables                                            2.5      2.3
           Deferred tax asset                                                     7.3      5.1
           Total non-current assets                                             776.8    859.1
           Current assets                                                                 
           Inventories                                                          225.2    237.5
           Trade and other receivables                                          153.7    161.0
           Current tax asset                                                        -    8.4  
           Derivative financial instruments                                       0.6    0.2  
           Cash and cash equivalents                                             19.1     13.3
           Total current assets                                                 398.6    420.4
           Total assets                                                       1,175.4  1,279.5
           Liabilities                                                                    
           Current liabilities                                                            
           Borrowings                                                     10    (0.2)    (1.8)
           Lease liabilities                                              11   (78.6)   (79.1)
           Derivative financial instruments                                     (0.8)    (1.5)
           Trade and other payables                                           (357.1)  (368.4)
           Current tax liabilities                                              (3.2)        -
           Provisions                                                          (15.4)   (12.4)
           Total current liabilities                                          (455.3)  (463.2)
           Net current liabilities                                             (56.7)   (42.8)
           Non-current liabilities                                                        
           Borrowings                                                           (8.8)   (19.6)
           Lease liabilities                                                  (192.8)  (228.1)
           Derivative financial instruments                                     (3.9)    (0.1)
           Trade and other payables                                             (3.4)    (3.6)
           Provisions                                                          (10.9)   (11.1)
           Total non-current liabilities                                      (219.8)  (262.5)
           Total liabilities                                                  (675.1)  (725.7)
           Net assets                                                           500.3    553.8
           Shareholders’ equity                                                               
           Share capital                                                          2.2      2.2
           Share premium                                                        212.4    212.4
           Investment in own shares                                             (1.6)    (1.0)
           Other reserves                                                         0.7        -
           Retained earnings                                                    286.4    340.2
           Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company           500.1    553.8
           Non-controlling interest                                               0.2        -
           Total equity                                                         500.3    553.8

        The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

                                                     

                                                     

 

 

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                        Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

                             Attributable to the equity holders of the Company                       
        
                                            Other reserves                                           
                  Share   Share Investment    Capital Hedging Retained        Total Non-controlling  Total
                        premium     in own redemption                  shareholders        interest equity
                capital account     shares    reserve reserve earnings       equity
                    £m      £m         £m         £m      £m       £m           £m                        
Closing balance
at 31 March         2.2   212.4      (1.9)        0.3   (1.4)    345.3        556.9               -  556.9
2023
                                                                                                          
Total
comprehensive                                                                                             
income for the
period 
Profit for the        -       -          -          -       -     16.9         16.9               -   16.9
period 
                                                                                                          
Other
comprehensive                                                                                             
loss 
Cash flow                                                                                                 
hedges:
Fair value
changes in the        -       -          -          -   (1.3)        -        (1.3)               -  (1.3)
period 
Income tax on
other                 -       -          -          -   (0.4)        -        (0.4)               -  (0.4)
comprehensive
income 
Total other
comprehensive
loss for the          -       -          -          -   (1.7)        -        (1.7)               -  (1.7)
period net of
tax 
Total
comprehensive         -       -          -          -   (1.7)     16.9         15.2               -   15.2
income for the
period 
Other                                                                                                     
Hedging gains
and losses
transferred to        -       -          -          -     2.8        -          2.8               -    2.8
the cost of
inventory 
                                                                                                          
Transactions                                                                                              
with owners 
Purchase of own       -       -     (10.2)          -       -        -       (10.2)               - (10.2)
shares
Share options         -       -       11.1          -       -    (6.9)          4.2               -    4.2
exercised
Share-based
payment               -       -          -          -       -      3.8          3.8               -    3.8
transactions 
Income tax on
share-based           -       -          -          -       -      0.4          0.4               -    0.4
payment
transactions 
Sale of
minority
interest in           -       -          -          -       -      2.4          2.4               -    2.4
subsidiary to
non-controlling
interest
Dividends to          -       -          -          -       -   (21.7)       (21.7)               - (21.7)
equity holders 
Total
transactions          -       -        0.9          -       -   (22.0)       (21.1)               - (21.1)
with owners 
Balance at 29       2.2   212.4      (1.0)        0.3   (0.3)    340.2        553.8               -  553.8
March 2024
                                                                                                     

 

 

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

                             Attributable to the equity holders of the Company                       
 
                                            Other reserves                                           
                  Share   Share Investment    Capital Hedging Retained        Total
                        premium     in own redemption                  shareholders Non-controlling  Total
                capital account     shares    reserve reserve earnings                     interest equity
                                                                             equity
                    £m      £m         £m         £m      £m       £m           £m                        
Closing balance
at 29 March         2.2   212.4      (1.0)        0.3   (0.3)    340.2        553.8               -  553.8
2024
                                                                                                          
Total
comprehensive                                                                                             
loss for the
period  
Loss for the          -       -          -          -       -   (33.6)       (33.6)           (0.2) (33.8)
period  
                                                                                                          
Other
comprehensive                                                                                             
loss 
Cash flow                                                                                                 
hedges:
Fair value
changes in the        -       -          -          -     0.1        -          0.1               -    0.1
period 
Income tax on
other                 -       -          -          -   (0.2)        -        (0.2)               -  (0.2)
comprehensive
income 
Total other
comprehensive
loss for the          -       -          -          -   (0.1)        -        (0.1)               -  (0.1)
period net of
tax 
Total
comprehensive         -       -          -          -   (0.1)   (33.6)       (33.7)           (0.2) (33.9)
loss for the
period  
                                                                                                          
Hedging gains
and losses
transferred to        -       -          -          -     0.8        -          0.8               -    0.8
the cost of
inventory 
Recognition of
derivative            -       -          -          -       -    (3.9)        (3.9)               -  (3.9)
liability
                                                                                                          
Transactions                                                                                              
with owners 
Purchase of own       -       -      (3.6)          -       -        -        (3.6)               -  (3.6)
shares
Share options         -       -        3.0          -       -    (2.4)          0.6               -    0.6
exercised
Share-based
payment               -       -          -          -       -      3.9          3.9               -    3.9
transactions 
Adjustment to         -       -          -          -       -    (0.4)        (0.4)             0.4      -
NCI
Dividends to          -       -          -          -       -   (17.4)       (17.4)               - (17.4)
equity holders 
Total
transactions          -       -      (0.6)          -       -   (16.3)       (16.9)             0.4 (16.5)
with owners 
Balance at 28       2.2   212.4      (1.6)        0.3     0.4    286.4        500.1             0.2  500.3
March 2025
                                                                                                     

The notes on pages 20 to 29 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            Halfords Group plc

                                   Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

                                                                                52weeks to 52weeks to
                                                                                  28 March   29 March
                                                                             
                                                                                     2025       2024 
                                                                          Notes        £m         £m 
    Cash flows from operating activities                                                             
    Profit after tax for the period, before non-underlyingitems                       30.0       32.8
    Non-underlyingitems                                                             (63.8)      (3.8)
    (Loss)/profit after tax for the period                                          (33.8)       29.0
    Depreciation – property, plant and equipment                                      28.8       27.1
    Impairment of property, plant and equipment                                        2.0          -
    Amortisationof right-of-use assets                                                79.5       78.9
    Impairment of right-of-use assets                                                  7.9        2.8
    Amortisation– intangible assets                                                   22.8       21.2
    Impairment of intangible assets                                                   47.9          -
    Net finance expense                                                               11.1       13.1
    Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment                                  0.3        0.8
    Gain on disposal of leases                                                         0.2      (2.2)
    Equity-settledshare-basedpayment transactions                                      3.9        3.8
    Foreign exchange movement                                                          3.5        1.2
    Income tax expense                                                                 3.8        9.8
    (Increase)/decrease in inventories                                                 8.8       12.7
    Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables                                 8.8      (9.0)
    (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables                                  (9.1)       10.7
    Increase/(decrease) in provisions                                                  2.8     (10.3)
    Income tax received/(paid)                                                         5.5     (11.7)
    Net cash from operating activities - continuing operations                       194.7      177.9
    Net cash from operating activities – discontinued operations                         -     (10.5)
    Cash flows from investing activities                                                             
    Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired                                      -      (0.6)
    Acquisition of subsidiary, deferred consideration paid                           (4.0)          -
    Purchase of intangible assets                                                   (21.3)     (23.7)
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                       (31.9)     (21.9)
    Net cash from investing activities - continuing operations                      (57.2)     (46.2)
    Net cash from investing activities – discontinued operations                         -      (0.3)
    Cash flows from financing activities                                                             
    Purchase of own shares                                                           (3.6)     (10.2)
    Proceeds from share options exercised                                              0.6        4.2
    Finance income/(costs) received/(paid)                                             0.4      (2.1)
    RCF drawdowns                                                                    568.0    1,348.0
    RCF repayments                                                                 (578.0)  (1,363.0)
    Proceeds from borrowings                                                             -        1.5
    Repayments of borrowings                                                         (1.4)          -
    RCF transaction costs                                                            (1.3)      (1.1)
    Capitalised transaction costs                                                    (1.4)          -
    Interest paid on lease liabilities                                               (9.4)      (9.0)
    Payment of capital element of leases                                            (87.1)     (83.8)
    Payments related to supplier financing                                          (91.0)     (70.0)
    Receipts related to supplier financing                                            89.9       65.9
    Proceeds from sale of share in subsidiary to non-controlling Interest                -        2.4
    Dividends paid                                                                  (17.4)     (21.7)
    Net cash used in financing activities - continuing operations                  (131.7)    (138.9)
    Net cash used in financing activities – discontinued operations                      -      (0.9)
    Net increase/(decrease) in cash and bank overdrafts                    10          5.8     (18.9)
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                          13.3       32.2
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                     10         19.1       13.3

 The notes on pages 20 to 29 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                            Halfords Group plc

                         Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

                                    For the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025

 

1.    General information and basis of preparation 

The financial information set out below does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the periods
ended 28 March 2025 or 29 March 2024 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2024  have
been delivered to the Registrar  of Companies. The auditor has  reported on those accounts; their  reports
were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew  attention
by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498
(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are presented in millions of pounds sterling, rounded to the nearest £0.1m. 

The accounts of the  Group are prepared for  the period up to  the Friday closest to  31 March each  year.
Consequently, the financial statements for the current period cover the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025,  whilst
the comparative period covered the 52 weeks to 29 March 2024.

The consolidated financial statements of Halfords Group plc and its subsidiary undertakings, together “the
Group”, have been prepared in  accordance with International Financial  Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”)  and
IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) Interpretations as adopted by the European Union and with those
parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements are
prepared on a going  concern basis and under  the historical cost convention,  except where adopted  IFRSs
require an  alternative  treatment. The  principal  variations  relate to  financial  instruments  (IFRS 9
“Financial  instruments”),  acquisition  of  business  combinations  (IFRS  3  “Business   Combinations”),
share-based payments (IFRS 2 “Share-based payment” and leases (IFRS 16 “Leases”). 

Adoption of new and revised standards 

The Group has applied the following interpretations and  amendments for the first time in these  financial
statements:

  ▪ Supplier Finance Arrangements – Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7;
  ▪ Lease Liability in a Sales and Leaseback – Amendments to IFRS 16
  ▪ Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current – Amendments to IAS 1;
  ▪ Non-Current Liabilities with Covenants – Amendments to IAS 1

 None of the above amendments to standards are considered to have a material effect on these  consolidated
financial statements.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted 

All other standards and related adoptions which have  been published but not yet adopted are not  expected
to have a material impact on the consolidated results  or financial position of the Group. A full  listing
will be provided in the  statutory accounts.   There are a  number of standards, amendments to  standards,
and interpretations which have  been issued by the  IASB that are effective  in future accounting  periods
that the Group has  decided not to adopt  early. With the  exception of IFRS 18,  these standards are  not
expected to have  a material  impact on  the entity  in the  current or  future reporting  periods and  on
foreseeable future transactions. The impact of IFRS 18 on the Group is currently being assessed and it  is
not yet practicable to quantify the effect of IFRS 18 on these consolidated financial statements,  however
there is no impact on presentation for the Group in the current year given the effective date of  adoption
is for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027.

 

2.    Operating expenses  

For the periodfor continuing operations                   52weeks to       52weeks to 
                                                             28 March         29 March
                                                         
                                                                 2025 2024 – restated*
                                                                  £m               £m 
                                                                                      
Selling and distribution costs  *                               604.0            581.9
Administrative expenses, before non-underlying items  *         216.3            184.5
Non-underlyingadministrative expenses (See note 4)               68.4              4.3
 Administrative expenses                                        284.7            188.8
 Operating expenses                                             888.7            770.7

*Prior period balance restated between selling and distribution costs and administrative expenses, before
non-underlying items to ensure consistency in presentation within Retail and Autocentres businesses

3. Operating profit

From continuing operations for the period                                   52weeks to       52weeks to   
                                                                               28 March         29 March
                                                                                                          
                                                                                   2025 2024 – restated*
                                                                                     £m               £m  
  Operating profit is arrived at after charging/(crediting) the following                                 
  expenses/(incomes) as categorised by nature:
  Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets, excluding short-term             0.3                0.3
  leases of low value assets
  Expenses relating to short term leases                                            6.7                6.4
  Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and intangibles                0.3                0.8
  Amortisation of intangible assets                                                22.8               21.2
  Amortisation of right-of-use assets                                              79.5               79.7
  Depreciation of:                                                                                        
  - owned property, plant and equipment                                            28.8               27.2
  Impairment of:                                                                                          
  - owned property, plant and equipment                                             2.0                0.5
  - right-of-use assets                                                             7.9               2.8 
  - intangibles (goodwill)                                                         47.9                  -
  Trade receivables impairment / (reversal)                                         0.2              (0.1)
  Staff costs                                                                     411.9              387.5
  Cost of inventories consumed in cost of sales*                                  823.7              867.1
  *The cost of inventories consumed in cost of sales in the prior period has been restated to include
  certain Autocentres balances previously omitted in error
 
   

   
                                                                                                          

 4. Non-underlying items 

 For the period                                                               52 weeks to 52 weeks to
                                                                                 28 March    29 March
                                                                             
                                                                                     2025        2024
                                                                                       £m          £m
Non-underlying operating expenses relating to continuing operations:                       
    Organisational restructure costs (a)                                              1.5         7.7
    Acquisition and investment related fees (b)                                         -         1.0
    Closure costs (c)                                                                14.9       (4.4)
    Cloud migration costs (d)                                                         2.9           -
    Impairment of non-current assets (e)                                             49.1           -
Non-underlying items before tax relating to continuing operations                    68.4         4.3
    Tax on non-underlying items (f)                                                 (4.6)       (0.5)
Non-underlying items after tax relating to continuing operations                     63.8         3.8
Non-underlying items after tax relating to discontinued operations (Note 9)             -         6.9
Total non-underlying items                                                           63.8        10.7

 a. During the period, organisational restructure costs of £1.5m were incurred (2024: £7.7m) linked to the
    ongoing warehouse management system  replacement programme. Other costs  incurred in the prior  period
    include: dual  running costs  incurred in  relation to  the integration  of National  Tyres  financial
    systems (2024: £0.5m), professional fees incurred  in relation to restructuring the Avayler  operation
    (2024: £1.1m), restructure of  the support centre (2024:  £1.9m) and costs relating  to a revision  to
    procurement processes (2024: £1.9m).
 b. Acquisition costs of £1.0m in the prior  period primarily comprised professional fees and  acquisition
    costs in relation to the acquisitions of National Tyres and the Lodge Tyre Company.
 c. Closure costs of £14.9m represent costs associated with the closure of a number of stores and garages,
    following strategic reviews of  the profitability of  the Group's physical estate  in the current  and
    prior periods, as well as the closure of the Group's wholesale tyre operations:

       ◦ £12.0m (2024: £nil) of closure costs relate to the decision to exit a number of garage locations
         following a full review of the future profitability of the Group’s physical estate in light of
         the increased labour cost introduced by the UK Government’s Autumn Budget and with reference to
         sites’ suitability for the Fusion programme. A strategic review in FY25 of the garage estate’s
         profitability, resulting in the forthcoming closure of several loss-making and underperforming
         garages. Right-of-use assets (£6.7m) and tangible assets (£1.9m) were impaired, with provisions
         for property exit costs (£3.4m). Communications to employees who will be directly impacted by
         these closures are expected to take place in the first half of FY26 when the related redundancy
         provision and non-underlying expense will be recognised.
       ◦ £1.4m (2024: £4.4m credit) of closure costs were incurred in the current period from store and
         garage closures initiated during strategic reviews of the Group's physical estate’s profitability
         in previous years. Assets were impaired and costs associated with ongoing onerous commitments
         under lease agreements and other costs associated with the property exits were provided for.
         Costs in the current period primarily relate to revised sublet assumptions and increased
         dilapidation fees. At the period end, property provisions carried forward included an amount of
         £3.3m (2024: £3.5m) in relation to these closures, which will continue to unwind as property
         exits are negotiated with landlords or tenants.
       ◦ £1.5m of closure costs were incurred in the current period following the FY24 closure of the
         Group’s wholesale tyre operations, after entering a strategic partnership with specialist tyre
         distributor Bond International.  These costs, not eligible for provision in FY24, comprise
         non-property related closure expenses, unwinding of discounting on deferred consideration through
         FY30, and property related expenditure on leases extending through to FY34. Non-property related
         costs have concluded in FY25.

 d. Cloud migration costs relate to the migration of servers from co-located datacentres to a  cloud-based
    solution. Costs of £2.9m (2024:  £nil) include expenses associated  with managing this transition  and
    the dual running of the existing co-located servers and the new cloud infrastructure.
 e. During FY25, the Group performed  an impairment review of certain  non-current assets. As a result  of
    this review, the Group recognised an impairment expense of £47.9m in relation to Goodwill and £1.2m in
    relation to Right of Use assets within retail and autocentres segments.
 f. The tax credit of £4.6m represents a tax rate of 6.7% applied to non-underlying items, which is  lower
    than the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenditure.

 

5. Finance costs  

Recognised in profit or loss for the period     52weeks to  52weeks to 
                                                   28 March    29 March
                                               
                                                       2025        2024
                                                         £m          £m
Finance income:                                                        
Bank interest                                           0.9           -
                                                                       
Finance income:                                                        
Bank borrowings                                       (0.5)       (2.2)
Amortisation of issue costs on loans                  (0.6)       (0.8)
RCF commitment fees                                   (1.3)       (1.1)
Supplier financing expense                            (0.2)           -
Interest payable on lease liabilities                 (9.4)       (9.0)
Net Finance costs before non-underlying items        (11.1)      (13.1)
                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Taxation 

For the period                                                                    52weeks to  52weeks to 
                                                                                     28 March    29 March
                                                                                 
                                                                                         2025        2024
                                                                                           £m          £m
Amounts recognised through Income Statement                                                              
Current taxation                                                                                         
UK corporation tax charge for the period                                                  6.8         5.6
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                                                  (0.6)       (5.5)
                                                                                          6.2         0.1
Deferred taxation                                                                                        
Origination and reversal of temporary differences                                       (1.4)         0.9
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                                                  (1.0)         4.5
                                                                                        (2.4)         5.4
                                                                                                         
Total tax charge for the period                                                           3.8         5.5
                                                                                                         
Income tax attributable to:                                                                              
Profit from continuing operations                                                         3.8         9.8
Profit from discontinued operations                                                         -       (4.3)
                                                                                          3.8         5.5
 
                                                                                               
 Deferred taxation – OCI
Origination and reversal of temporary differences in Other Comprehensive Income           0.2         0.4
Total tax charge  to Other Comprehensive Income for the period                            0.2         0.4
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
Current taxation - equity                                                                                
UK corporation tax credit for the period                                                    -       (0.4)
                                                                                            -       (0.4)
                                                                                                         
Total tax (credit)/charge to equity for the period                                                  (0.4)

 

The tax charge is reconciled with the standard rate of UK corporation tax as follows: 

For the period                                                            52weeks to  52weeks to 
                                                                             28 March    29 March
                                                                         
                                                                                 2025        2024
                                                                                   £m          £m
(Loss) / Profit before tax from continuing operations                          (30.0)        38.8
Loss before tax from discontinued operations including gain on disposal             -      (16.4)
(Loss) / Profit before tax                                                     (30.0)        22.4
                                                                                                 
UK Corporation Tax at standard rate of 25% (2024: 25%)                          (7.5)         5.6
Factors affecting the charge for the period:                                                     
Depreciation on expenditure not eligible for tax relief                           0.4         0.7
Employee share options                                                            0.6         0.4
Other disallowable expenses                                                      12.3         0.6
Adjustment in respect of prior periods                                          (1.6)       (1.1)
Deferred tax not recognised                                                         -       (0.2)
Impact of overseas tax rates                                                    (0.4)       (0.5)
Impact of change in tax rate on deferred tax balance                                -           -
Total tax charge for the period                                                   3.8         5.5

 

 

An increase to the main rate of corporation tax to 25% was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021 and took
effect from 1 April 2023. The opening and closing deferred tax asset at 28 March 2025 has been calculated
based on the rate of 25%.

The effective tax rate of (12.8)% (2024: 24.6%) is higher than the UK corporation tax rate principally due
to the impact of a non-deductible impairment of goodwill of £47.9m in the period. The taxation charge  for
the period was £3.8m (2024:  £5.5m), including a £4.6m  credit (2024: £0.4m credit)  in respect of tax  on
non-underlying items.In this period, the Group’s contribution to the UK Exchequer from both taxes paid and
collected exceeded £274m  (2024: £273m) with  the main taxes  including net VAT  £141.2m (2024:  £126.3m),
employment taxes of £98.1m (2024:  £89.0m) and business rates £39.7m  (2024: £37.0m), partially offset  by
corporation tax refunds of £5.5m (2024: payments of £11.0m). 

Impact of future tax changes

Pillar Two legislation, which introduced a global minimum  effective tax rate of 15%, has been enacted  or
substantively enacted in certain jurisdictions where the Group operates. The legislation will be effective
for the  Group’s financial  period beginning  30 March  2024. The  Group is  in scope  of the  enacted  or
substantively enacted legislation and  has performed an  assessment of the  Group’s potential exposure  to
Pillar Two income taxes.

The assessment of  the potential  exposure to Pillar  Two income  taxes is based  on the  most recent  tax
filings, country-by-country reporting and financial statements for the constituent entities in the  Group.
Based on the assessment,  the Pillar Two  effective tax rates in  most of the  jurisdictions in which  the
Group operates are above 15%. However, there are a limited number of jurisdictions where the  transitional
safe harbour relief may not apply and  the Pillar Two effective tax rate  is close to 15%. The Group  does
not expect a  material exposure to  Pillar Two  income taxes in  those jurisdictions and  has applied  the
exception to recognising deferred tax assets and liabilities relating to Pillar Two income taxes.

 

7. Dividends 

For the period                                                                     52weeks to  52weeks to 
                                                                                      28 March    29 March
                                                                                  
                                                                                          2025        2024
                                                                                            £m          £m
Equity – ordinary shares                                                                                  
Final for the 52 weeks to 29 March 2024 – paid 5.0p per share (52 weeks to 31             10.9        15.2
March 2023: 7.0p)
Interim for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025 – paid 3.0p per share (52 weeks to 29            6.5         6.5
March 2024: 3.0p)
                                                                                          17.4        21.7
                                                                                                

 In addition, the directors are proposing a final dividend in respect of the financial period ended 28
March 2025 of 5.8p per share (2024: 5.0p per share), which will absorb an estimated £12.6m (2024: £11.0m)
of shareholders’ funds. It will be paid on 12 September 2025 to shareholders who are on the register of
members on 8 August 2025. 

 

8. Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share are  calculated by dividing the profit  attributable to ordinary shareholders  by
the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.  The weighted average number of
shares excludes shares held by an Employee Benefit  Trust and has been adjusted for the issue/purchase  of
shares during the period.   

For diluted earnings per  share, the weighted average  number of ordinary shares  in issue is adjusted  to
assume conversion of all  dilutive potential ordinary  shares.  These represent  share options granted  to
employees where the exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company’s ordinary  shares
during the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025.   

The Group has also chosen to present an  alternative earnings per share measure, with profit adjusted  for
non-underlying items as it better reflects the Group’s underlying performance.  

 

For the period                                                                52 weeks to      52 weeks to
                                                                                                  29 March
                                                                            28 March 2025
                                                                                                      2024
                                                                         Number of shares Number of shares
                                                                                        m                m
Weighted average number of shares in issue                                          218.9            218.9
Less: shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust (weighted average)                  (1.0)            (1.5)
Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic earnings per                217.9            217.4
share
Weighted average number of dilutive shares                                            9.5              8.5
Total number of shares for calculating diluted earnings per share                   227.4            225.9

Potentially dilutive shares in the current year would  be anti-dilutive and have therefore not been  taken
into account in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

For the period

                                                                                52 weeks to    52 weeks to

                                                                              28 March 2025  29 March 2024

                                                                                          £m            £m

Attributable to equity shareholders for the period
(Loss) / earnings from continuing operations                                          (33.6)          29.0
Non-underlying items after tax relating to continuing operations (Note 4)               63.8           3.8
Earnings from continuing operations before non-underlying items                         30.2          32.8
Earnings from discontinued operations                                                      -        (12.1)
Non-underlying items after tax relating to discontinued operations (Note 9)                -           6.9
Earnings from discontinued operations before non-underlying items                          -         (5.2)
Total (loss) /earnings                                                                (33.6)          16.9
Total non-underlying items after tax                                                    63.8          10.7
Total earnings before non-underlying items                                              30.2          27.6

 

 

                                                                                               52 weeks to
                                                                                  52 weeks to 
For the period                                                                                    29 March
                                                                                28 March 2025 
                                                                                                      2024
Basic (loss) / earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations                  (15.4)p       13.3p
Diluted (loss) /earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations                 (15.4)p       12.7p
Basic earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations before                      13.8p       15.1p
non-underlying items
Diluted earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations before                    13.2p       14.5p
non-underlying items
Basic (loss) /earnings per ordinary share                                              (15.4)p        7.8p
Diluted (loss) /earnings per ordinary share                                            (15.4)p        7.4p
Basic earnings per ordinary share before non-underlying items                            13.8p       12.7p
Diluted earnings per ordinary share before non-underlying items                          13.2p       12.2p

9. Discontinued operations

On 25th  January 2024  the  Group announced  its intention  to  enter into  a strategic  partnership  with
specialist tyre distributor Bond International and to close its existing tyre operation. As a consequence,
on 22 February 2024, the Group sold Birkenshaw Distributors Limited (“BDL”) and the wholesale customers of
Stepgrades Motor Accessories Ltd (“Viking”) to R & R C Bond (Holdings) Limited ("Bond”). On 22 March 2024,
the remaining principal operations of Viking ceased.

The events noted above resulted in Viking and BDL  being treated as a discontinued operation in the  prior
period. The results of the business were shown separately from the continuing business for all periods and
presented on the face of the income statement as a discontinued operation. This was also reflected in  the
statement of comprehensive income. Earnings per share (EPS) was split between continuing and  discontinued
operations. The cash flows of the discontinued operation were also disclosed in the consolidated statement
of cash flows.

The summary income statement for the businesses treated as a discontinued operation for the periods up  to
28 March 2025 and 29 March 2024 are as follows:

 
                                       52 Weeks to 28 March 2025           52 Weeks to 29 March 2024
 
                                          Before Non-underlying               Before Non-underlying
Discontinued operations           non-underlying          items Total non-underlying          items  Total
                                           items             £m    £m          items             £m     £m
                                              £m                                  £m
Revenue                                        -              -     -           16.3                  16.3
Cost of sales                                  -              -     -         (13.6)                (13.6)
Gross profit                                   -              -     -            2.7            -      2.7
Operating expenses                             -              -     -          (9.7)         (11.9) (21.6)
Loss from operating activities                 -              -     -          (7.0)         (11.9) (18.9)
Net finance expense                            -              -     -            -                     -  
Loss before income tax                         -              -     -          (7.0)         (11.9) (18.9)
Income tax expenses                            -              -     -            1.8            2.5    4.3
Loss after tax                                 -              -     -          (5.2)          (9.4) (14.6)
Gain on disposal                               -              -     -                           2.5    2.5
Loss after tax from discontinued               -              -     -          (5.2)          (6.9) (12.1)
operations

The events noted for Viking and BDL are a major  re-organisation of a key line of business. The costs  and
gains on disposal of  various Viking and BDL  assets associated with these  events meet the definition  of
non-underlying items as per group accounting policy. The breakdown of these are as follows:

For the period                       52 weeks to 52 weeks to
                                        28 March    29 March
                                            2025        2024
                                              £m          £m
Non-underlying operating expenses:                          
Organisational restructure costs (a)           -        11.9
Gain on disposal of assets (b)                 -       (2.5)
Non-underlying items before tax                -         9.4
Tax credit on non-underlying items             -       (2.5)
Non-underlying items after tax                 -         6.9

 a. In the period ended 29 March 2024, organisational restructuring costs of £11.9m were incurred relating
    to the disposals of the share capital of BDL and the wholesale customers of Viking, and the subsequent
    closure of the remaining Viking operation. Costs in relation to these activities comprised: redundancy
    costs £2.6m, property related restructuring provisions £3.9m, right-of-use and other asset impairment
    £4.1m, Viking dual running costs £0.5m and legal fees to support the transaction of £0.8m.
 b. In the period ended 29 March 2024, deferred consideration of £2.9m was recognised on the contract date
    for the disposal of £0.4m of assets, giving rise to a £2.5m gain on disposal.

There are no other items of comprehensive income relating to discontinued operation for the period  ending
28 March 2025 (2024: nil).                                                             

 

 

10. Analysis of movements in Group’s net debt in the period

                                      At 29 March 2024 Cash flow  Other non-cash changes At 28 March 2025 
                                                   £m         £m                     £m                £m 
Cash and cash equivalents
                                                  13.3        5.8                      -              19.1
(Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows)  
Debt due in less than one year                   (1.8)        1.4                    0.2             (0.2)
Debt due after one year                         (19.6)       11.4                  (0.6)             (8.8)
Total net (debt) / cash excluding                (8.1)       18.6                  (0.4)              10.1
leases 
Current lease liabilities                       (79.1)       96.5                 (96.0)            (78.6)
Non-current lease liabilities                  (228.1)          -                   35.3           (192.8)
Total lease                                    (307.2)       96.5                 (60.7)           (271.4)
Total net debt                                 (315.3)      115.1                 (61.1)           (261.3)

Other non-cash changes  include additions of  new leases,  modifications to leases,  amortisation of  debt
costs, foreign exchange movements, and changes in  classifications between amounts due within and after  1
year.

Cash and cash equivalents at the period end consist of £19.1m (2024: £13.3m) of liquid assets.

The Group had the following committed borrowing facilities available at each balance sheet date in respect
of which all conditions precedent had been met:

                                                   As at
                                          As at
                                                29 March
                                 28 March 2025 
                                                    2024
Expiring within 1 year                        -        -
Expiring between 1 and 2 years                -        -
Expiring between 2 and 5 years            180.0    180.0

The committed facility of  £180.0m (2024: £180.0m)  relates to the Group’s  revolving credit facility,  of
which £20.0m is  designated as an  overdraft facility. This  facility incurred commitment  fees at  market
rates.

 

11. Leases 

All leases where the Group is a lessee are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use asset and a lease
liability except for: 

  •                   Leases of low value assets; and  
  •                   Leases with a term of 12 months or less.  

The Group’s leases relate to the store and garage premises from which the Group operates with typical
lease terms of 5-10 years.

i.    Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position 

Right-of-Use Assets

                                            Land and                   
                                                      Equipment 
                                           buildings             Total 
                                                             £m 
                                                  £m                £m 
At 31 March 2023                                304.8        7.8  312.6
Additions on acquisition of subsidiary              -          -      -
Additions to right-of-use assets                 31.7       11.6   43.3
Amortisation charge for the year               (74.0)      (5.7) (79.7)
Effect of modification of lease                  10.5          -   10.5
Derecognition of right-of-use assets            (5.6)          -  (5.6)
Impairment charge                               (2.8)          -  (2.8)
At 29 March 2024                                264.6       13.7  278.3

 

 

                                                             Land and                   
                                                                       Equipment 
                                                            buildings             Total 
                                                                              £m 
                                                                   £m                £m 
At 29 March 2024                                                 264.6       13.7  278.3
Additions to right-of-use assets                                  37.8       11.9   49.7
Amortisation charge for the year                                (72.1)      (7.4) (79.5)
Effect of modification of lease                                    4.5          -    4.5
Reclassification of subleased asset to other receivables         (0.8)          -  (0.8)
Derecognition of right-of-use assets                             (2.0)          -  (2.0)
Impairment charge                                                (7.9)          -  (7.9)
At 28 March 2025                                                 224.1       18.2  242.3

The impairment charge  of £7.9m  (2024: £2.8m) relates  to the  garage store closure  project (£7.0m)  and
retail right-of-use asset impairment (£0.9m), both of which are included within non-underlying items.

The derecognition of right of use assets and  disposals of lease liabilities relates to ongoing store  and
garage closure programmes where leases have been exited before their original exit date.

Modification of leases relates to renegotiations of leases following discussions with landlords.

Lease Liabilities

                                            Land and                   
                                                      Equipment 
                                           buildings             Total 
                                                             £m 
                                                  £m                £m 
At 31 March 2023                                337.5        9.4  346.9
Additions on acquisition of subsidiary              -          -      -
Additions to lease liabilities                   31.8       10.5   42.3
Interest expense                                  8.5        0.5    9.0
Effect of modification to lease                  11.1      (0.5)   10.6
Lease payments                                 (87.7)      (5.9) (93.6)
Disposals to lease liabilities                  (7.8)          -  (7.8)
Foreign exchange movements                      (0.2)          -  (0.2)
At 29 March 2024                                293.2       14.0  307.2
Additions to lease liabilities                   36.9       11.8   48.7
Interest expense                                  8.3        1.1    9.4
Effect of modification to lease                   4.4          -    4.4
Lease payments                                 (88.2)      (8.3) (96.5)
Disposals to lease liabilities                  (1.7)          -  (1.7)
Foreign exchange movements                      (0.1)          -  (0.1)
At 28 March 2025                                252.8       18.6  271.4

 

                                                                                       28 March 29 March

Carrying value of lease liabilities included in the statement of financial position        2025     2024

                                                                                            £m        £m
Current liabilities                                                                        78.6     79.1
Non-current liabilities                                                                   192.8    228.1
Total lease liabilities                                                                   271.4    307.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            28 March 29 March

Lease liabilities                                               2025     2024

                                                                 £m        £m
Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows                      
Less than one year                                              87.0     87.5
Between one and two years                                       67.6     78.8
Between two and three years                                     50.5     56.8
Between three and four years                                    37.5     40.7
Between four and five years                                     21.5     27.3
Between five and six years                                      15.0     16.9
Between six and seven years                                     12.0     13.7
Between seven and eight years                                    7.9     10.7
Between eight and nine years                                     2.1      6.9
Between nine and ten years                                       1.7      1.2
After ten years                                                  3.2      2.8
Total contractual cash flows                                   306.0    343.4

 

                                                28 March 29 March

Finance sub-lease receivable                        2025     2024

                                                     £m        £m
< 1 year                                             0.3        -
1-2 years                                            0.2        -
2-5 years                                            0.3        -
6-10 years                                             -        -
Total undiscounted lease payments receivable         0.8        -
Unearned finance income                            (0.1)        -
Net investment in the lease                          0.7        -

ii. Amounts recognised in the consolidated income statement  

                                                                               Land and                   
                                                                                         Equipment 
                                                                              buildings             Total 
                                                                                                £m 
                                                                                     £m                £m 
52 weeks ended 28 March 2025                                                                              
Amortisation charge on right-of-use assets                                          72.1        7.4   79.5
Interest on lease liabilities                                                        8.3        1.1    9.4
Expenses relating to short-term leases                                               5.4        1.3    6.7
Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets, excluding short-term                  -        0.3    0.3
leases of low-value assets 
52 weeks ended 29 March 2024                                                                         
Amortisation charge on right-of-use assets                                          74.0        5.7   79.7
Interest on lease liabilities                                                        8.5        0.5    9.0
Expenses relating to short-term leases                                               5.1        1.3    6.4
Expenses relating to leases of low-value assets, excluding short-term                  -        0.3    0.3
leases of low-value assets 

iii.       Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of cash flows 

The total cash outflow for leases for the period ended 28 March 2025 was £96.5m (2024: £93.6m). 

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 13  1 Outlook commentary is based on a comparable 52-week year; FY26 will include a 53rd week of trading.

 14  2  Underlying Autocentres EBIT ex-Avayler, which was separated to operate as a standalone business
distinct from the Halfords group in FY24.

 15  3  As noted in our interim results, some significant changes to the competitor sets participating in
market data panels have occurred, reducing their usefulness as a measure of changes to market share. As
such, we will no longer regularly report detailed market share data although we will continue to give
directional commentary where appropriate.

 16  4  Outlook commentary is based on a comparable 52-week year; FY26 will include a 53rd week of
trading.

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   ISIN:           GB00B012TP20
   Category Code:  FR
   TIDM:           HFD
   LEI Code:       54930086FKBWWJIOBI79
   OAM Categories: 1.1. Annual financial and audit reports
   Sequence No.:   393809
   EQS News ID:    2160032


    
   End of Announcement EQS News Service

   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

References

   Visible links
   1. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftn1
   2. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=121fa61d4919895d995d69624d962d32&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
   3. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=9ca71bc76988d9d9c069f4db9f871cc3&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
   4. mailto:investor.relations@halfords.co.uk
   5. mailto:halfords@sodali.com
   6. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=047e801e872e99256fef2e16c518e0a3&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
   7. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=27d6210fc2a2a99bb0f4cd5d963afe7c&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
   8. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=ebe8fe89956d1f24147c0f1019e118fa&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
   9. https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=9ca71bc76988d9d9c069f4db9f871cc3&application_id=2160032&site_id=reuters~~~6aa99418-46f7-48b9-89fd-959a8d2e4912&application_name=news
  10. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftn2
  11. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftn3
  12. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftn4
  13. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftnref1
  14. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftnref2
  15. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftnref3
  16. file:///data/ucdp/tmp/xhtmlconvert_parsn_eqs_GHMPblpz.html#_ftnref4


============

Recent news on Halfords

See all news