Fiskars 海角视频, the owner of historic fine china and porcelain brand Wedgwood, has reported a pre-tax loss of £1.4m in 2023, despite strong sales through Harrods and Selfridges. The Stoke-on-Trent-based company, which also owns the Waterford, Royal Doulton and Royal Albert brands, had previously posted a pre-tax profit of £11.5m in 2022.
According to recently filed accounts with Companies House, the firm's turnover also decreased from £33.7m to £29.5m over the year, as reported by .
The board released a statement saying: "Whilst cost of living pressures, including inflation and energy costs, continued to dampen willingness to spend and impact factory efficiencies it was also a year of significant internal change."
READ MORE: {}
They added that they sought a new audience for Wedgwood through various marketing collaborations, including Wedgwood Web3, launched at the V&A in London, Charles Jeffery Loverly and Palace.
The statement further revealed: "Major restructuring within the sales organisation has also resulted in cost savings alongside a focus on fewer, but stronger, account partners and, coupled with pricing and new pay for performance, discount terms, plus extended trade portal usage, has delivered better margin control across the company."
"Recovery of international visitors to the 海角视频, especially London, has seen stronger sales in-store at Harrods and Selfridges, and continuing red-organisation of the teams working there is paying, and will continue to pay, dividends."
"Development of the visitor attraction at Barlaston has continued and revenue levels have returned to pre-Covid levels, even though international visitors have yet to return in significant numbers."
"Recent events onsite with both the Japanese and Chinese tourist bodies are looking to influence this."
"The management of House of Waterford and World of Wedgwood has just recently been amalgamated so that synergies can be leveraged between both sides."