Northern Ireland-based family-owned independent retail group Ulster Stores has reported a slight decline in sales.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 January 2025, total sales dipped 3.5% to £13.8m from £14.3m in 2024.

EBITDA stood at £781,000, down from £1m, while pre-tax profit resulted at £136,000, also down from £423,000 recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, the Coleraine-based business, which trades across three stores, said: “Whilst the wider retail environment has remained challenging and the Autumn budget announced changes that have increased costs for the business going forward, we have a strong customer proposition, well invested stores and a great team of people. Our strategy ‘Shop, Eat, Experience & Discover’ has enhanced the physical experience for our customers and gives compelling reasons to visit our stores.

“We have run more experience led events in the stores which have proved to be popular within each stores’ community, with a number of these now being ticketed. Catering has continued to perform well within the business and remains an important footfall driver. A new loyalty scheme is being trialled in one store with the potential to roll out to the other stores.

“We have continued with a programme of works to our stores to ensure that they are fit for purpose and attractive destinations. These have included a new roof to the White House Portrush and the installation of solar panels. The estimated generation is 65,000kWh per annum, with an estimated pay back in the region of 5 years. Clares of Llandudno has also seen works carried out to back of house areas in advance of improvements to the store going forward.

“We are optimistic about the future of our trading locations. The North Coast has seen significant investment in the run up to The Open golf championship, including new and refurbished hotels along with the development of other visitor accommodation. We feel confident that these will be good for the long-term prospects of the area.”