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(Sharecast News) - Cake Box said on Tuesday that it expected to report strong full-year revenue growth, with profit in line with market expectations, after a stronger second half supported by new store openings, positive like-for-like sales and the first full-year contribution from Ambala Foods.
The AIM-traded fresh cream celebration cakes retailer said group revenue for the 52 weeks ended 29 March 2026 was expected to be about 61.2m, up 43% from 42.8m in the prior year.
Excluding Ambala, Cake Box revenue was expected to be about 46.7m, up around 12% from 41.9m in 2025.
The company said trading momentum seen at the interim stage was maintained through to the year end, resulting in second-half revenue and profit ahead of first-half levels.
It said the performance reflected disciplined delivery against its growth strategy, including higher-than-expected new store openings, growth from its omni-channel offering and positive like-for-like sales at Cake Box.
Cake Box said it continued to win new customers and deepen engagement through its upgraded customer relationship management platform and enhanced online offer.
Third-party delivery platforms, including Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat, made a strong contribution to second-half sales growth, alongside the company's own online platform and expanding store estate.
Ambala, acquired in March 2025, traded broadly in line with expectations in its first full year within the group.
Cake Box said it had focused on integration and operational improvements, including aligning key processes, enhancing distribution capability, strengthening organisational structures and improving Ambala's customer proposition through refreshed branding, updated packaging and enhanced in-store presentation.
The group opened 37 new stores during the year, comprising 25 Cake Box stores and 12 Ambala stores.
The Ambala openings were ahead of the company's target of 10 new franchise stores for the brand.
Cake Box ended the year with a total estate of 310 stores.
Chief executive and co-founder Sukh Chamdal said the company had delivered "a strong second-half performance".
"We delivered a strong second-half performance, with full-year growth driven by new store openings, positive like-for-like sales, growing sales via third-party platforms and the maiden full-year contribution from Ambala," he said.
The company said it continued to monitor the wider macroeconomic environment and consumer sentiment, including recent geopolitical developments, whose impact it said was difficult to predict.
It said it was managing risks through operational efficiencies, disciplined cost control and proactive procurement strategies, including hedging utility costs, while continuing to invest in long-term growth.
"We are confident in the resilience of our business model, underpinned by a growing estate, continued investment in technology and a strong pipeline of franchise opportunities," Chamdal said.
"At the same time, the impact of recent geopolitical developments is difficult to predict and we remain mindful of the inflationary risks and challenging consumer backdrop."
Cake Box said it expected to announce its full-year results in June.
At 1249 BST, shares in Cake Box Holdings were up 0.31% at 193.1p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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