Jacobson Group Eyes Another Record Year After Stellar 2024 Growth Driven by Gola
The Jacobson Group has celebrated an extraordinary period of success, marked by record growth and significant strategic advancements in the past year. This impressive momentum has seamlessly carried over into the current trading year, with the UK footwear and accessories specialist confidently anticipating yet another record-breaking performance for 2025.
For the financial year ending 28 December 2024, Jacobson Group reported a stellar performance, underpinned by its sports brand Gola emerging as a standout performer. Turnover for the 12-month period surged by a remarkable 38%, reaching £36.4 million. This substantial growth was primarily attributed to the group's rapidly expanding e-commerce presence, complemented by robust growth achieved through its distribution and retail partner channels across the UK, Europe, and the USA.
Core earnings (EBITDA) demonstrated explosive growth, rocketing by 153% to £4.8 million, up from £1.9 million in the preceding year. When adjusted for one-off exceptional items, EBITDA improved further to £5.6 million. Pre-tax profit also saw a phenomenal increase, soaring by 457% to £3.9 million, compared to £0.7 million in the previous year, highlighting the group's enhanced profitability.
Among the key strategic highlights, the heritage brand Gola continued to excel. The group noted that Gola remains "well-loved," attracting both new and existing customers drawn to its authentic heritage combined with a fresh, creative style. In 2024, Gola successfully reintroduced several archive styles, with models such as the Elan and Tornado performing exceptionally well in the market.
Celebrating its 120th anniversary, the Gola brand experienced particularly strong growth in the US, leveraging both retail and direct-to-consumer channels. This international success was further complemented by sustained momentum in the UK and key European territories, solidifying Gola's global footprint.
Jacobson Group also significantly expanded its retail partnerships in 2024, adding a diverse range of respected names to its client roster. New customers include major retailers such as John Lewis, Next, Schuh, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas, M&S, Selfridges, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales. Beyond Gola, the group's portfolio comprises owned brands like Lotus, Ravel, Frank Wright, and Dolcis, alongside licensed operations for Dunlop and Lonsdale.
Looking ahead, Jacobson Group reports continued positive trading momentum across all key markets in 2025, coupled with exciting new market entries, including Central America. The group remains firmly on track to achieve another record year, forecasting over 40% revenue growth and sustained increases in both EBITDA and Pre-Tax Profit for 2025.
The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on further growth opportunities through deeper market penetration in existing territories and expansion into new ones. E-commerce scalability remains a paramount business priority, and the board is confident that growth will be accelerated through combined technical and marketing investments, notably with the upcoming launch of its European website designed to leverage strong momentum within the EU.
Tony Evans, Managing Director of Jacobson Group, commented on the success: "We are confident that our diverse business model leaves us well placed to build on this positive growth trajectory. Further to this, we continue to hold a solid forward order book and have appointed partners in several new territories, meaning the group remains on track to deliver another record performance in 2025."
