Retail & Consumer
Gear4music (Holdings) plc
Analysts
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Company Description
Gear4music (G4M) is the leading UK online retailer of musical instruments and music equipment. Based in York, it has also established operating bases in Sweden and Germany to spearhead its expansion into Europe. It operates 20 localised country websites in 15 languages with nine currencies and can ship its products to 190 countries. G4M's product offer, based on long-term supplier relationships, extends to over 55,000 lines, including its highly profitable own-brand ranges. Operating a low-cost model, with further efficiency gains targeted, G4M is profitable from the first customer transaction, achieving a 250% gross margin return on its marketing investment in new customer acquisition. With many staff members playing or producing music, G4M can rightfully describe itself as 'a business for musicians run by musicians'.
Investment Summary
G4M has built a flexible, scalable, low-cost business model, including a European distribution infrastructure and local buying capabilities, which also helps to mitigate Brexit and supply chain risks. G4M benefits from several barriers to entry. The most significant of these - and a source of sustainable competitive advantage - is its proprietary and bespoke end-to-end e-commerce platform, developed and continuously enhanced over a 15-year period. G4M has significant growth potential from market share expansion, both in the UK and mainland Europe, in a highly fragmented product market undergoing a structural shift into the online channel. The company's primary growth drivers are international expansion, product range extension, continued e-commerce platform investment and further enhancement of digital marketing and content.
Recent Content
Steady progress over peak trading period
19/01/2023 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M delivered a solid performance over its peak Q3 trading period, with financial performance in line with Board […]
Interim results in-line, with clear focus on future platform evolution
15/11/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M’s interim results reflected the previously disclosed headline performance featured in last month’s AGM trading update. The improved […]
Improved September momentum continuing into H2 – unchanged forecasts
20/10/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M reported H1 sales growth of 2% to 30 September, despite the trading challenges laid out in its […]
Lack of visibility on consumer sentiment upturn prompts more prudent guidance
09/09/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
Gear4music’s AGM trading update has reported sales growth in Q1 against tough comparatives. Trading over July and August […]
A tougher gig in FY22; strong growth over FY20
21/06/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M delivered FY22 results slightly ahead of guidance in the April post-close trading update, with EBITDA some £0.2m […]
Weaker end to year; outlook moderated to reflect broader consumer uncertainty
21/04/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M has released its FY22 full-year trading update. Widely reported macroeconomic factors impacting consumer confidence have seen weaker-than-expected […]
Steady as she goes…
20/01/2022 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M’s Q3 trading update showed a continuation of the trends seen in H1, with a robust domestic market […]
Interim results in-line…with revised forecasts on slower Q3 European sales
16/11/2021 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M’s interim results were in line with Board expectations, reflecting the previously disclosed sales and gross margin performance, […]
H1 trading in line with expectations
14/10/2021 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
G4M has delivered an H1 trading update in line with internal expectations against the very strong H1 trading […]
Strategic acquisition of AV Online… …..and trading in line with expectations
09/09/2021 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
The group’s AGM trading update included news of a complementary acquisition in line with the group’s stated growth […]
Annus mirabilis… …and flexed for future growth
22/06/2021 Gear4music (Holdings) plc
Gear4music (G4M) has delivered a superlative set of results against the extraordinary backdrop of the past year. Profit […]
Company Management Team
Andrew Wass
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew has over 25 years’ of business management experience. Having studied Popular Music and Sound Recording at the Salford University of Salford, he set up and ran a commercial recording studio and founded Gear4music Limited in 1995 (then called Soundpro Limited). In 1998 he began selling computer systems for the audio recording market before launching “Gear4music.com” in 2003. Since then Andrew has retained overall responsibility for driving the Group’s growth.
Chris Scott
Chief Financial Officer
Before joining Gear4music in October 2012, Chris was the Finance Director at Officers Club, overseeing the sale of the business to Blue Inc. Chris joined the audit team of KPMG LLP in Leeds in 1997, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000 and went on to spend nine further years in their advisory practice including a year on secondment at Barclays Bank. He holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration.
