Outdoor clothing brand Berghaus has reported a third year of losses despite seeing its revenues increase as people took to the outdoors during the pandemic.
The Sunderland firm - which started out of the LD Mountain Centre in Newcastle - has released accounts for 2020 which report turnover of £55.3m, up from £54.6m in 2019. But over the same period, the firm’s operating loss grew slightly to £1.2m.
The accounts highlight the challenges of both the Covid pandemic and the Brexit negotiations, and also outline how the company - a founder member of the Act and Ethical Trading Initiative organisations - has worked to help companies in its supply chain during the difficult year.
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Berghaus’ online sales increased by 155% during the year, with waterproof products the most popular items and a 50% discount for key workers driving nearly a quarter of online sales.
The company also made investments into its German, Austria and Switzerland operation and signed with new distribution partners in Italy and the Iberia region to reintroduce the brand to specialist outdoor retailers in their respective territories.
Charlie Pym, Berghaus global brand director, said: “The business has an excellent platform for pressing ahead with our ambitious plans for the future of this iconic brand.
“Our sustained investment in product development is paving the way for the next generation of the pinnacle Extrem range on one hand, while on the other, Dean Street will continue to use inspiration from Berghaus classics to attract new consumers to the outdoor lifestyle.
“Our mission is to make the outdoors accessible to all, in whatever form works for each individual. Brilliant product will be at the heart of that and, led by our great team, our ambassadors, our distribution and our marketing communications, we will enable the public everywhere to find their own way in the outdoors.”
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Berghaus has been part of the Liverpool-based Pentland Group, which also includes brands such as Speedo and Mitre, since the 1990s.
The company is set to announce a new focus on sustainability, including a partnership with Kendal firm Dirtbags Climbing to upcycle Berghaus products, and the launch this autumn of Repairhaus, under which it will do free repairs of its products.
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