Stockport retail group grew headcount by 100 in another record year

Stockport headquartered retail group, Parfetts, grew its headcount by near 100 colleagues in the 2020-21 financial year, and has again reported record high turnover.

The employee-owned group, behind the eponymous wholesale brand, and the Go Local fascia, saw its total employees rise by 95, from 683 in 2019-20 to 778 in 2020-21. Turnover at the firm also increased from a record £478 million to a new high of £570 million, an increase of just under 20% year-on-year.

The retail group found that increased demand first felt at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic was maintained throughout the financial year, ending June 2021. The business was also able to maintain its margins, and saw profit before taxation also increase by a similar percentage to £14.6 million.

Alongside financial data, the firm has also published its CO2 emissions under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting disclosure rules. While investment increasing the firm’s fleet saw its energy use from transport increase in the 12 months from July 2020 to June 2021, emissions from other areas of the business saw a decline thanks to investment in more efficient LED lighting in Parfetts’ largest wholesale outlets in Aintree and Stockport, as well as through recommissioning of solar panels at the retail group’s Halifax depot.

In their statement accompanying Parfetts’ statutory accounts filing, directors commented:

“We are delighted with the results for the year ended June 2021 in what has continued to be a particularly challenging period as we have experienced increased customer demand while working hard to manage supply chain shortages due to Covid as well as ensuring we had sufficient staff levels to maintain customer service levels.”