A BOLTON based electrical retailer has announced a huge increase in trading through the coronavirus pandemic.

AO, which has its head office in Horwich, was founded in Bolton in 2000 and yesterday announced that in the six months up to September 30, UK revenue increased by 54 per cent.

The company said their sales momentum continued through the year, which was initially boosted by people moving their shopping to online with all high street shops closed, despite “the reopening of competitor bricks and mortar stores”.

They added that they dealt with the increased demand well, investing in infrastructure and staff.

Changes made over the last 18 months and due to Covid-19 were also highlighted as benefits to their online approach as AO continued to grow.

AO founder and group chief executive, John Roberts, commented: “The last six months of trading have been like no other during my two decades in the business.

“AO was in good shape coming into this financial year and the global, structural shift in customer behaviour to online, accelerated by Covid, emphasised our strengths.

“We remain excited by the opportunities ahead and ambitious to realise them.

“I would like to thank all AOers and our delivery partners right across the business who have worked safely and tirelessly both to provide exceptional service to our customers when they needed us most and to overcome the operational challenges of recent months.

“I can definitely say our mums would be proud of what the AO team is achieving.

“Whilst we remain mindful of the uncertain economic climate caused by the pandemic and Brexit, we are on track with plans and well set for our biggest ever peak trading period in the UK and Germany.”