UK retailer AO World logs record profit as discounts, membership draw shoppers

By Yamini Kalia

June 17 (Reuters) - British electronics retailer AO World reported record annual profit on Wednesday, as its discounted product ranges and membership programme tapped demand from cost-conscious households.

A market leader in everyday appliances such as televisions, washing machines and mobile telephones, AO World has been largely insulated from weak consumer morale over high energy costs and inflation brought by the Iran war.

The retailer has also benefited from Britain's record high temperatures, pushing up demand for big-ticket purchases such as fridges and air conditioners, Chief Finance Officer Mark Higgins told Reuters.

Peel Hunt analyst John Stevenson said he expected continued progression in AO World's market share in the major domestic appliances market, with its membership offerings also boosting non-appliance sales, despite the tough backdrop.

AO said it would return £20 million ($27 million) to shareholders via a £10-million special dividend and a new £10-million share buyback programme.

Shares of the Bolton-based AO World fell 2.3% by 0747 GMT following a rise of more than 5% in early trade, a move Stevenson attributed to profit-taking by investors.

"The sharp turnaround in the price is a surprise and further underlines the difficulties which the share price has had in breaking out of its range," said Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor.

AO World also flagged inflationary pressures but said its offshoring of customer contact centre operations to South Africa had delivered savings of about £2 million, with annualised savings expected to reach £4 million.

The retailer expects fiscal 2027 pretax profit to meet market forecasts of £54.6 million and is confident of reaching a 5% profit margin in the medium term, despite geopolitical and cost pressures.

It recorded £50.5 million in adjusted pretax profit in the year ended March 31, 2026, up 16% from the previous year and largely in line with company-compiled consensus of £50 million.

($1=0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Simone Lobo and Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Louise Heavens and Clarence Fernandez)