Dr. Martens revenue falls 9.8 percent as boots lose ground

Shoes are close to matching boots as a share of Dr. Martens revenue. According to WWD, shoes accounted for 41 percent of first-half revenue, up from 37 percent a year earlier; boots accounted for 44 percent, down from 49 percent.

The growth elsewhere was small: WWD reports that shoes revenue rose 1 percent and sandals revenue rose 5 percent. Dr. Martens chief executive officer Ije Nwokorie blamed “exceptionally hot summer weather” for the pressure on boot sales, according to WWD.

FashionUnited reports first-half revenue of 290.4 million pounds. Its report puts the adjusted loss before tax at 13.7 million pounds, against 9.4 million pounds a year earlier. WWD reports a smaller reported loss: 8.5 million pounds, compared with 11.0 million pounds.

The U.K. decline was steeper than the U.S. decline: revenue fell 21.3 percent and 5.1 percent respectively, according to WWD.

FashionUnited reports that Dr. Martens finished the period with 233 directly operated stores after two openings and nine closures. The interim dividend stayed at 0.85 pence per share, and FY27 guidance was unchanged.