Shares in Boohoo jumped by as a lot as 12 per cent on Tuesday as the web fast-fashion retailer reassured traders over its development prospects after slumping to an annual loss.

The UK group’s income fell by 11 per cent to £1.7bn within the 12 months to February 28 after consumers have been hit by the price of dwelling disaster and plenty of returned to bodily shops post-pandemic. 

Boohoo, which additionally owns the Karen Millen and Debenhams manufacturers, swung to a pre-tax lack of £91mn in contrast with a revenue of £7.8mn the earlier yr, however chief govt John Lyttle insisted the group would stem the decline in gross sales and losses this yr. 

It’s now concentrating on a 6 per cent to eight per cent adjusted underlying revenue margin within the medium time period, up from the forecast 4 per cent to 4.5 per cent for 2023-24 and three.6 per cent final yr. 

The retailer, which benefited from the growth in on-line purchasing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has been chopping prices, together with decreasing the extent of inventory it holds by greater than a 3rd over the previous yr, to assist revive its fortunes. 

“The group’s focus for the yr forward is rebuilding profitability and going again to development,” finance chief Shaun McCabe instructed traders and analysts. 

A big a part of its ambitions is centred on its US growth, the place it is going to open a distribution centre this yr, slashing supply occasions from eight to 10 days, to 3 days. “It’s a game-changer,” Lyttle instructed analysts. 

Shares in Boohoo have been up 6 per cent in afternoon buying and selling, chopping their decline over the previous yr to 48 per cent. The “most important shock is the stability sheet”, in response to analysts at Peel Hunt, with internet money of £5.9mn versus their internet debt forecast of £55mn, and consensus nearer to £70mn.

Analysts at Davy added: “The emergence from the pandemic has been exhausting for the web retailers. Boohoo is not any exception. The income line stays fragile, however adjusted ebitda, stock and money stream have been effectively managed. The strategic intent is obvious, execution stays difficult, however our choice for Boohoo over Asos stays.” 

Each Asos and Boohoo have been hit by surging inflation as consumers reduce on vogue. Asos final week mentioned it had greater than £400mn in money and undrawn services as of February, saying its stability sheet was “strong and versatile”.