Card Factory Plc · LSE:CARD
Card Factory — Q2 2027 Earnings Presentation
37 slides from Card Factory's earnings presentation, Sep 29, 2026
Slide 1: Creating celebrations for all life's moments
Creating celebrations for all life's moments Card Factory plc FY27 Interim Results (HY27) 29 September 2026
Slide 2: Agenda
Agenda Introduction Darcy Willson-Rymer Financial Performance Matthias Seeger Strategy & Operational Update Darcy Willson-Rymer Outlook & Summary Darcy Willson-Rymer Q&A Darcy Willson-Rymer & Matthias Seeger 2
Slide 3: Introduction
Section 1 Introduction Darcy Willson-Rymer, CEO 3
Slide 4: HY27 overview
HY27 overview Group revenue up 5.3%, with positive free cash generation • Group sales up year-on-year reflecting contribution from Funky Pigeon. • Continued pressure on UK consumer sentiment impacted footfall and LFL sales. • Improved UK store profitability and positive free cash flow. Focused execu
Slide 5: Financial Performance
Section 2 Financial Performance Matthias Seeger, CFO 5
Slide 6: HY27 financial summary
HY27 financial summary Revenue Adj. EPS +5.3% Group revenue growth £260.8m 2.9 pence (HY26: £247.6m) (HY26: 2.8 pence) +£13.2m +0.1p/+1.6% Adjusted EPS increases by +1.6% Improved profitability on UK stores despite Free Cash Adj. PBT challenging consumer environment Flow (LTM) £12.7m (HY26: £13.2m)
Slide 7: Growth in Group revenue driven by Funky Pigeon
Growth in Group revenue driven by Funky Pigeon +5.3% year-on-year growth Total cardfactory sales growth of +5.3% Group sales were flat, excluding impact of Stores Wholesale Digital Funky Pigeon acquisition £247.6m -0.7 ppts +13.6 ppts +398 ppts £260.8m Store sales down -0.7% (UK: -1.5%, Republic of
Slide 8: Group Adj. PBT reflects store performance balanced by investment in digital
Group Adj. PBT reflects store performance balanced by investment in digital Group Adjusted PBT Improved stores profitability 13.2 • Higher product margins and lower costs. 12.7 • Benefits of actions on range, pricing, sourcing and operational efficiency. Digital and wholesale divisions reflect £’m i
Slide 9: Stores improved profitability against a challenging UK consumer backdrop
Stores improved profitability against a challenging UK consumer backdrop Stores PBT Performance 200bps improvement in product margin through efficient assortment & stronger in-store execution Macro picture remains challenging • Weak consumer sentiment, hot weather and lower disposable incomes among
Slide 10: Continuing to build our profitable store estate
Continuing to build our profitable store estate Store estate remains highly profitable and Stores Adj Store cash generative Revenue EBITDA £226.0m £50.4m Adjusted EBITDA improved by +5.7% through (HY26: £227.8m) higher product margin and efficiencies (HY26: 47.7m) Sales of £226m, down –0.7% with LFL
Slide 11: Containing inflation through self-help measures
Containing inflation through self-help measures ‘Simplify & Scale’ Structured multi-year programme £10 million 40% £60 million in FY27 delivered in Inflation absorbed over last three 3-4% Inflation in H1 Efficient financial years FY27 Range incl Pricing Efficient Efficient New Ways Purchasing of Wor
Slide 12: Strong, positive free cash generation in H1
Strong, positive free cash generation in H1 LTM Free Cash Generation Strong free cash flow of £47.8m in LTM Positive free cash generation of £0.8m in HY27 – substantially improved in the 76.1 context of high seasonal cash outflows • Improved working capital. • Capital expenditure of £11.8m (vs £7.6m
Slide 13: Maintaining a strong balance sheet
Maintaining a strong balance sheet Adjusted Target Leverage Leverage 27.4 87.4 1.1x <1.5x 78.9 (HY26: 1.0x) 11.1 Continued strong free cash performance 17.4 £’m Dividends and buybacks totalling £28.5 million in last 12 months (to HY26 end) 31.5 -47.4 Funky Pigeon acquisition £25.7m plus costs, funde
Slide 14: cardfactory's approach to generating attractive returns for our shareholders
cardfactory’s approach to generating attractive returns for our shareholders Capital Allocation Policy Mid-term targets Key drivers Maintain a strong Mid-single digit % sales Store LFL New store Digital/ growth per annum growth growth Wholesale balance sheet Mid-to-high single digit Invest to delive
Slide 15: Sustainable, progressive cash returns to shareholders
Sustainable, progressive cash returns to shareholders Interim dividend • 1.4 pence per share/ £4.6 million payable in December 2026, up by 7.7% versus last year. HY27 Interim • Based on expected progressive full-year dividend. dividend 1.4p Share buyback of £15 million ongoing (HY26: 1.3p) • Complet
Slide 16: Strategy Update
Section 3 Strategy Update Darcy Willson-Rymer, CEO 16
Slide 17: Building Blocks of Growth
Building Blocks of Growth Vision: To be a leading global celebrations group with extensive 1 Increasing UK and ROI footprint and growing international presence. our share of the celebrations Core Business Building Blocks of Growth market UK & Republic of Ireland UK & Republic of Ireland UK & ROI and
Slide 18: The UK celebration occasions market opportunity
The UK celebration occasions market opportunity Why Celebration Greeting Why it matters to Gifts cardfactory celebrations? essentials cards A structurally appealing £11.8 billion £1.5 billion £1.6 billion addressable 32% 26% c. 10% Capturing more of market purchased online* purchased online* card so
Slide 19: Delivering against our strategic priorities
Delivering against our strategic priorities Increasing our share Reaching more Unlocking of celebrations customers international market opportunity FY27 priorities FY27 priorities FY27 priorities • Expand key celebration • Continue targeted store • Progress retailer discussions categories. expansion
Slide 20: Spotlight on Store Segmentation
Spotlight on Store Segmentation Increasing our share of celebrations market • Multi-year test and learn programme that builds on the success of space optimisation. • Supports our focus on capturing more of customers’ annual celebration spend using customer and basket data to enable space, range and
Slide 21: Spotlight on creating one digital business
Spotlight on creating one digital business Reaching more customers Funky Pigeon integration & synergy delivery: Investing for future growth: • Progressing through planned transition year, • Clear brand positioning with a with integration and delivery of expected differentiated product strategy. £5m
Slide 22: Spotlight on the Republic of Ireland
Spotlight on the Republic of Ireland Unlocking international opportunity Organic store expansion Extending our reach through Garlanna • 49 stores at 31 July 2026, building a nationwide presence • Garlanna provides established wholesale since market entry in 2017. platform alongside cardfactory’s gro
Slide 23: Operational Update
Section 3 Operational Update Darcy Willson-Rymer, CEO 23
Slide 24: Operational progress made through H1 provides a strong platform for H2
Operational progress made through H1 provides a strong platform for H2 The RANGE Delivering to grow in VALUE for celebrations customers IN-STORE SPACE that COMMUNICATION performs that drives sales 24
Slide 25: The RANGE to grow in celebrations
The RANGE to grow in celebrations • Significant product newness across the Golden Quarter. • New party proposition rolled out in mid-July with party sales +13% LFL. • Stronger cross-category merchandising to capture more of each celebration mission. • Product and range decisions increasingly informe
Slide 26: Delivering VALUE for customers
Delivering VALUE for customers • Targeted investment in pricing, choice and promotions. • Sharper opening price points across key card lines. 26 26
Slide 27: SPACE that performs
SPACE that performs • Multi-year test & learn store segmentation approach. • Optimising space to support the evolving mix across cards, gifts, celebration essentials and party. • Maintaining a targeted programme of openings in underpenetrated locations. 27 27
Slide 28: IN-STORE COMMUNICATIONS that drives sales
IN-STORE COMMUNICATIONS that drives sales • Reflecting consumer focus on value, updated messaging rolled out across the estate. • Improved merchandising and seasonal theatre to create a more engaging celebration experience. • Stronger cross-category signposting to support discovery and attachment sa
Slide 29: Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas
Section 3 Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas 29
Slide 30: Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas
Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas Sharper opening price points and compelling promotions Significant product newness More reasons to visit 30
Slide 31: Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas
Plans and preparations for the Golden Quarter and Christmas Broader celebration offer Even clearer value Cross category merchandising 31
Slide 32: Outlook & Summary
Section 4 Outlook & Summary Darcy Willson-Rymer, CEO 32
Slide 33: Priorities for H2 to deliver FY27 in line with expectations
Priorities for H2 to deliver FY27 in line with expectations Deliver year-on-year H2 PBT growth PBT H2: FY26 vs FY27 through: 1. Execution of strong commercial plans to deliver sales growth across channels. 2. Driving stronger operational execution through improved stock allocation and availability.
Slide 34: Group Outlook for FY27
Group Outlook for FY27 • We recognise the consumer environment remans uncertain. • Actions taken through H1, providing a stronger platform as we enter H2. • Strong Golden Quarter plans are in place. • ‘Simplify & Scale’ programme continues to drive efficiency and £m productivity. • As a result, the
Slide 35: HY27 in summary
HY27 in summary • Group revenue growth and increased store profitability in a challenging environment. • Strategic and operational progress focused on strengthening stores and broadening cardfactory's role in celebration occasions. • Building foundations for future growth in digital, wholesale and i
Slide 36: Q&A
Section 5 Q&A Darcy Willson-Rymer, CEO Matthias Seeger, CFO 36
Slide 37: Disclaimer
Disclaimer This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results or operation and businesses of Card Factory plc. Such statements and forecasts by their nature involve risks and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstance