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PRIVACY
Retail & Consumer

AO calls on investors to help online electricals retailer raise extra £40m

The move comes after two days of steep share declines

AO is headquartered in Bolton(Image: AO)

AO has called on investors to help it raise an extra £40m after its share price fell over fears of its financial strength.

The Bolton-headquartered online electricals retailer is to launch a capital raise for new and existing shareholders, which will include placing for small retail investors, in order to boost its balance sheet.

In a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange, AO said that while it is "cash generative", the fundraise will "increase the company's liquidity back to historic levels... strengthen the balance sheet for suppliers and provide the flexibility to capitalise on market opportunities".

READ MORE: AO responds to shares slump after reports online electricals retailer is facing cash crunch

The move comes after two days of steep share declines after it emerged that credit insurer Atradius had cut cover for the firm's suppliers.

Credit insurance protects suppliers against the risk of retailers collapsing before payment for goods is made, and, without this cover in place, suppliers often demand upfront payments, increasing cash flow woes.

AO said it continues to "rationalise, simplify and refocus its º£½ÇÊÓÆµ operations" as it looks to save around £25m by 2024-25, while setting itself a target to grow revenues by at least 10% a year.

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Chief executive John Roberts said: "In addition to being a sensible piece of financial housekeeping given the short-term macroeconomic uncertainty, this capital raise will give us the necessary foundation from which to go after the significant long-term growth opportunities that we see for AO in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ."