Deichmann’s UK business has reported its strongest sales to date with 2023 having seen turnover of £139.1 million, up 14% year on year.

Gross profit rose to £76 million from £68.4 million and the operating loss narrowed to £838,000 from £2.819 million. The net loss for the year was £1.296 million, lower than the £3.257 million loss of a year earlier.

The British arm of the German group, which is Europe’s largest footwear retailer, saw “many challenges… but also a lot of successes” in the firm’s 110th anniversary year, according to the operation’s MD Simon Wilson.

He detailed nine new stores, including its first Northern Irish store in Belfast, plus the refit of eight more locations. This included Basingstoke, which had a £0.5 million investment and grew from 365 sq m to 570 sq m.

It ended the year with 134 stores and said that both new and existing stores performed well during the year with positive same-store sales as well as total sales.

Meanwhile, the brand’s online sales also grew 14% in 2023 and the company invested additional funds into marketing to improve brand awareness.

The business has continued its expansion in the UK during 2024 and has also added new technology into stores such as digital foot measuring devices.

One of its flagship stores at Westfield London reopened following a £1.3 million investment and it launched new lines including Levi’s, HeyDude and Buffalo along with a collaboration with author, actress and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher.