Victorian Plumbing Group PLC - Skelmersdale, England-based bathroom retailer - For financial year that ended September 30, reports pretax profit of GBP11.8 million, down 40% from GBP19.7 million the previous year. Revenue ticks up to GBP269.4 million from GBP268.8 million due to an increase in average order value, though Victorian Plumbing notes this is partially offset by a decrease in the number of total orders. Notes that when compared to financial 2019, pre-pandemic, annual revenue is up 78%.

Gross profit margin narrows to 45% from 49%, reflecting supply chain cost increases and product inflation. Costs of sales rises to GBP148.4 million from GBP138.3 million.

"Following a tough first half of the financial year, we have returned to growth in the second half, increasing our market share and establishing our position as the UK's No.1 bathroom retailer," says Chief Executive & Founder Mark Radcliffe.

Makes a "strong start" to financial 2023, with 10% revenue growth in the year-to-date.

Proposes a maiden full-year dividend of 1.1 pence per share and a special dividend of 1.7p. This brings the total dividends for financial 2022 to 2.8p. Last year, Victorian Plumbing did not pay a dividend.

Current stock price: 71.34 pence, up 4.9% in London on Tuesday afternoon

12-month change: down 55%

By Heather Rydings, Alliance News senior economics reporter

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