The South Shields firm gives millions of pounds from its profits to charities in the North East
The Barbour Factory outlet in South Shields.(Image: )
North East outdoor clothing company Barbour has seen revenues top £350m, with a particular boost for sales in Europe.
The fifth-generation family business, which is based in South Shields, has released accounts for the year to end of April 2025 in which its revenues rose 9% to £350.8m. Over the same period, operating profit grew from £39.5m a year previously to £49.5m.
Barbour – which employs more than 1,100 people – said that the year covered by the accounts had seen a “recovery” in sales, with a particularly strong performance in its e-commerce channels. Sales were strongest in the UK, making up almost half of the company’s revenues, but also rose in America, Europe and the rest of the world.
Barbour said accessories now account for almost 50% of its sales and it had seen “unprecedented growth” in womenswear, which drove revenues. The company has announced a number of high-profile partnerships over the last few years, including with TV presenter Alexa Chung and lifestyle brand Emma Bridgewater. It also highlighted investment in the North East, including the recent opening of new showrooms in South Shields.
In the accounts, long-time chair Dame Margaret Barbour said: “During the financial year 2024-25 revenues increased by £29.1m, this following a £21.3m planned sales reduction in prior year to set up future growth. This represented a 9% increase in revenues and confirms the continued strength and resilience of our brands relative to complex market performance, the trust that our customers and consumers place in us and the sustainability, in the broadest sense, of our business model and practices.
“Despite continued economic uncertainty with global political issues, wars across the globe and supply chain disruption, we managed to increase gross margin by 1.6%, with gross profit increasing by £19.5m. We remain committed to being good value for our consumers as well as the highest quality and despite considerable cost pressures, did not increase our prices in line with the cost increases suffered, minimising supply chain costs, without a loss of service, was key to improved gross margins.”
The financial performance led to what the company described as a “generous donation” to the Barbour Foundation, which has now donated more than £32m to charities and other good causes, mostly in the North East. Recent donations have gone to The Glasshouse in Gateshead, Age UK in Newcastle, The King’s Trust and £1m to Newcastle University to support PhD students in medical science research.
Barbour has also launched a new education initiative in partnership with The British Fashion Council, which will include a student design competition to re-imagine Barbour’s original tartans with three winners being chosen in April. As well as a cash prize, the winners will have the opportunity to participate in a Barbour activation during London Fashion Week in September 2026.
Group managing director Steve Buck said: “Against a complex global backdrop, this year’s financial performance demonstrates the continued strength and resilience of our brands and is a testament to all of our hard-working and dedicated employees. It is important, however, that we maintain a focus on overhead cost control while continuing to deliver excellent quality and improved customer service for all of our consumers across the globe.
“The strong results we have posted have enabled us in partnership with the BFC to provide support for the next generation of fashion designers. The generosity and support of our shareholders has also allowed a significant contribution of their dividend to go to The Barbour Foundation, helping to make a real difference to so many charities and good causes.”
