Samarkand Group plc, the cross-border eCommerce technology solution provider, is pleased to announce its preliminary unaudited results for the year ended 31 March 2021 (“FY21”).
FY21 Financial highlights:
- Listed on the Apex segment of the AQSE Growth Market raising £17m
- Revenue increased significantly by 201% to £20.6m (2020: £6.8m)
- Like for like revenues increased 116% to £14.8m (2020: £6.8m) excluding the exceptional revenues of £5.8m
- Nomad Technology revenue increased 317% to £6.4m (2020: £1.5m)
- Brand Ownership revenues increased 66% to £3.5m (2020: £2.1m)
- Distribution revenues increased 51% to £4.8m (2020: £3.2m)
- Gross margin, excluding exceptional revenue, improved from 48% to 62% reflecting a shift to greater technology and direct-to-consumer revenues
- EBITDA profit increased to £1.1m* (2020: loss £0.8m)
- Adjusted EBITDA loss improved 50% to £0.4** (2020: loss £0.8m)
* after deducting £0.5m in listing fees and share based payment charge
** adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted to exclude the profit generated from exceptional revenues, listing fees and share based payment charge.
FY21 Operational highlights:
- Orders processed for consumers in China increased 107% to 122k (2020: 59k)
- Number of product lines processed on the Nomad platform in 2021 was 2,111 (2020: 381)
- Significant investment in the Group’s proprietary technology platform, Nomad continued with £0.6m (2020: £0.4m) in capitalised development costs
- Nomad Checkout enterprise launched in November 2020 with c. £1m GMV processed on the platform on behalf of UK brands and retailers
Post period end highlights:
- £3.1m net investment received from our strategic partner SF Express
- Acquired Zita West Products Limited and majority interest in Babawest Ltd
- Established Samarkand Global (Japan) KK based in Tokyo
- Nomad Checkout beta launched on 4 SME brands
David Hampstead, Chief Executive Officer of Samarkand Group, commented: “It has been an exceptional year for Samarkand Group plc and I am extremely proud to be presenting the Group’s maiden set of results as a listed Company. The ability with which the Company has progressed during the period in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic is testament to the strength of our team and the value of our offering. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their continued hard work.
The funds raised from our IPO provides Samarkand with the necessary capital to move to the next stage of our expansion and continued execution of our growth strategy. The use of such funds to acquire Zita West Products and a majority interest in Babawest Ltd underlines the ambition of the Group to move quickly in its progression. We continue to assess further opportunities for acquisitive growth.
Chinese eCommerce is only set to grow in significance moving forwards and our offering provides the optimal route for Western brands to penetrate the notoriously difficult Chinese market. The future of the Company is extremely bright and I am excited to continue delivering on our stated strategy in the coming months.”