Cotton Traders, the clothing retailer based on Atlantic Street in Broadheath, has reported stronger turnover and operating profit for the year to 27 December 2025, underlining the company's continued importance to the Altrincham economy.
Key figures show steady growth despite inflationary pressure
Turnover rose by 5.2% to £113.5m, up from £107.9m the previous year. Operating profit increased by 8.5% to £10.3m, while EBITDA edged up 1% to £12.1m. The results come despite ongoing inflationary pressures that have affected retailers across the UK.
The company attributed the improvement to performance across all sales channels, including store openings and a sharp rise in marketplace sales.
Stores, marketplaces and digital sales
Cotton Traders expanded its retail footprint during the year, opening six new stores and taking the total estate to 94 sites. At the same time, the business continued to push into third‑party online marketplaces, adding partnerships with George at Asda and Next, increasing the total number of marketplaces to five. Marketplace revenue rose by 58% year on year.
The shift to non‑store channels is striking: combined online and catalogue sales now account for 76.3% of overall sales. That reflects a structural change in how the brand’s customers are shopping and will shape how the company operates in Altrincham and beyond.
- Turnover: £113.5m (up 5.2%)
- Operating profit: £10.3m (up 8.5%)
- EBITDA: £12.1m (up 1%)
- Store estate: 94 sites (six net openings)
- Marketplace growth: +58% year on year
| Metric | 2025 | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £113.5m | £107.9m |
| Operating profit | £10.3m | — |
| EBITDA | £12.1m | — |
| Store count | 94 | 88 |
“It’s promising to see a healthy increase in revenue for Cotton Traders this financial year in the face of continued inflation alongside wider macroeconomic trading conditions,” said chief executive Nick Hamblin. “We are proud of the continued customer loyalty the brand enjoys, despite wider economic challenges, which can be credited to our competitive price point and strong quality product offering.”
What this means for Altrincham
As one of Altrincham’s largest private‑sector employers, Cotton Traders’ results will be watched locally. Steady revenue and profit growth, plus new store openings, suggest the business remains committed to its retail presence on the High Street even as the majority of sales move online. That balance matters for jobs in Broadheath and for footfall across the town’s shopping areas.
Marketplace expansion — with rapidly rising revenue from partners such as George at Asda and Next — offers a twofold benefit: broader national reach for the Altrincham brand and resilience against localised drops in store trading. However, the heavy tilt toward online and catalogue sales also signals continued pressure on physical retail spaces, a trend seen across the region.
The financial performance will give landlords, local officials and retail colleagues in Altrincham cause for cautious optimism. Growth in revenue and operating profit demonstrates the company can navigate current economic headwinds, but the structural shift in sales channels will keep decisions on store openings and staffing under scrutiny in the months ahead.
Cotton Traders, founded in 1987 by former England rugby captains Fran Cotton and Steve Smith, maintains its headquarters in Altrincham. The results published today underline the brand’s continued commercial relevance and its role in the town’s economic landscape.
Residents and shoppers will be watching how the retailer balances its digital momentum with the future of its physical estate in Altrincham and across the North West.
