The Very Group news and archive

The Very Group reports record earnings as Very UK revenue rises

The Very Group, which operates online retailers Very and Littlewoods, has reported record adjusted earnings for the 52 weeks to June 27, 2026, despite challenging market conditions. Adjusted EBITDA before securitisation interest increased 3.4 percent year-on-year to 317.5 million pounds, while the margin reached a record 15.2 percent. Group...

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Very Group sale scrapped as bidders decline two billion pound asking price

The potential sale of British online retailer Very Group is reportedly close to being scrapped after prospective buyers declined to meet the two billion pound asking price. According to Sky News, Carlyle Group, which took control of Very following a financial restructuring last year, is expected to remain the retailer’s owner for the foreseeable...

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Elliott Advisors reportedly joins race for The Very Group

US investment firm Elliott Advisors is believed to have emerged as a potential bidder for The Very Group as it reportedly mulls a deal that could value the UK retailer at two billion pounds. This is according to Sky News, which had also reported in May that Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com was another interested party, eyeing the group as part of...

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JD.com eyes The Very Group acquisition for UK expansion, Sky News reports

Chinese e-commerce company JD.com is evaluating a potential 2 billion pound, or 2.70 billion dollars, acquisition of the British online retail platform The Very Group, according to a report by Sky News on May 22, 2026. The move marks the latest initiative by the Beijing-based firm to expand its footprint within the UK digital commerce sector....

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The Very Group confirms Edward Fry as permanent CFO

The Very Group has appointed Edward Fry as its permanent chief financial officer, following a period in the role on an interim basis. Fry has served as interim CFO since September 2025, having previously been group finance director. During that time, he played a key role in major developments for the business, including its change of ownership...

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The Very Group owner injects 150 million pounds into the business

The Very Group, acquired by global investment firm Carlyle in November 2025, has completed a long-term funding deal to extend and renew debt facilities, to position the retail group “for the next stage of its growth”. Owners Carlyle have injected 150 million pounds in financial support into debt-laden The Very Group, which includes digital...

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The Very Group owner reportedly eyeing two billion pound auction

Carlyle, the US parent company of The Very Group, is believed to be preparing to launch a two billion pound auction for the ailing British e-tailer just months after its acquisition. Sources for Sky News have suggested that the American private equity firm is due to appoint Barclays and JP Morgan to oversee the sale of Very, which also owns...

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Very Group finds new ownership, Barclay family exits

The Very Group, the parent company of Very and Littlewoods, has been taken over by investment firm Carlyle, seeing the exit of its long-time owners, the Barclay family. IMI will remain as a key stakeholder in the group. In a press release, The Very Group said the takeover was a “positive outcome” that provided a “strengthened capital base and...

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The Very Group shifts focus to profitability, achieves record margin

The Very Group, the operater of digital retail platforms Very and Littlewoods, announced its full-year results for the 52 weeks ended June 28, 2025, detailing a significant increase in earnings despite challenging retail conditions. The Group’s strategy emphasised profitability over volume, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.7 percent...

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US investor Carlyle reportedly set to take control over Very Group

US investment firm Carlyle is said to be on the cusp of taking over Very Group, potentially bringing to an end the Barclay family’s long reign over the British e-tail group. According to sources for Sky News, Carlyle, which currently serves as Very’s biggest lender to its parent company, could assume ownership of the retailer as early as...

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Economic pressures impact Very Group's Q2 revenue, but EBITDA rises

The Very Group's FY25 second quarter results reflected continued economic headwinds, leading to a 4.5 percent revenue decline, totaling 1.17 billion pounds. However, the multi-brand online retailer demonstrated resilience by boosting adjusted EBITDA by 17.4 percent year-on-year to 150.2 million pounds. “As expected, the market in Q2 FY25...

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Very Group posts sales growth during peak trading period

Over the peak trading period, for the seven weeks to 27 December 2024, Very UK reported a sales growth of 2.3 percent year-on-year, while group sales rose 0.5 percent. These figures increased further when excluding the sales impact of Nike, which has switched to a direct-to-consumer model. With this, Very UK and the group’s retail sales grew 4.5...