Halfords Reports Strong Financial Year Performance

Halfords Group PLC, a leading UK retailer in motoring and cycling products, has issued a favorable trading update for the fiscal year ending April 2026. The company anticipates its underlying profit before tax to reach the higher end of the consensus range, between £36.0 million and £41.2 million, supported by robust gross margin improvements and effective cost management.

For the fiscal year, like-for-like sales rose by 4.8%, comprising a 4.1% increase in retail sales and a 5.8% rise in their Autocentres division. Within retail, cycling sales surged by 6.4%, while motoring saw a 2.9% uptick.

Looking ahead, Halfords remains cautiously optimistic despite macroeconomic uncertainties linked to the Middle East conflict. The company has hedged its FY27 energy costs and foreign exchange needs, ensuring visibility and reducing volatility. The preliminary results for FY26 are expected on June 25, 2026.