On 29 September 2025, the Card Factory Plc Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend of 1.3 pence per share (HY25: interim dividend of 1.2 pence per share). The interim dividend will be payable to shareholders on the share register on 7 November 2025, with payments to be made on 12 December 2025.
Other financial highlights include:
Group revenue of £247.6 million in HY26, up by +5.9% compared to HY25, reflects positive performance in core stores business and continued execution of their strategy:
o Total store revenue growth of +2.9%, including the contribution of +30 net new stores year-on-year, of which 13 were opened in HY26.
o Like-for-like (LFL) store revenue grew by +1.5%, in line with the non-food retail sector and against a backdrop of softer summer high street footfall due to the hot weather.
o Good momentum continued across our HY26 Spring seasons, particularly Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, with card range development and new gift and celebration essentials resonating strongly with customers.
o Strong organic partnership performance delivered double-digit revenue growth, supported by expanded offerings.
o Encouraging performance from recently acquired businesses in North America and Republic of Ireland, in line with management expectations.
o Total partnerships revenue in the period of £16.5 million, (HY25: £6.6 million) newly acquired business performed well and contributed positively.
o LFL sales at cardfactory.co.uk were down (11.3%) as they continue to evolve their offer to focus on higher margin sales.
A decision to bring forward efficiency-focused investments, including upgrade to point of sale till system, contributed to Adjusted PBT for the first half being down £1.3 million to £13.2 million.
Our structured, multi-year, 'Simplify and Scale' productivity and efficiency programme, largely mitigated the significant impact from rises in National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contributions, as well as wider inflationary pressures.
A significant improvement in Free Cash Flow due to improved working capital, from an outflow of -£24.9 million in HY25 to -£7.5 million in HY26.
The Board has approved a plan to purchase shares, initially, to satisfy employee share scheme awards to avoid equity dilution.
