The chief executive of Asos has poured scorn on recent speculation about a potential bid for the online fashion retailer from Amazon.
Nick Robertson said: “I have not spoken to Amazon or [its chief executive] Jeff Bezos for three years.” His comments follow reports at the weekend that the internet retail giant had considered a bid for Asos, which posted a sharp spike in profits today.
Asos, which was co-founded by Robertson in 2000, has been boosted by improved growth in the UK and continued barnstorming international revenues. Its profits jumped by 40% to £44.5 million over the year to August 31.
Robertson said: “The UK has bounced back and we are quietly confident this will continue.” Asos posted a 13% leap in UK sales to £81.7 million over the five months to the end of August, an uptick on the 10% growth over the 12 months.
Robertson said: “There are not many in UK retail growing at double-digit sales.”
Asos passed the milestone of five million “active customers” worldwide — counted as those who have placed orders in the past year — in August. The group grew its international revenues by 64% to £332.6 million over the year, driven by strong performances in the US, Australia and Singapore. While Asos delivers to Russia and China, it plans to launch local-language websites there by this time next year.
