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has taken all the headlines lately, but over five years there’s a larger gainer on the — ( ) If I’d invested £1,000 in this British retail company five years ago, I’d have slightly less than £4,000 today. That’s not a mind-blowing amount, but it’s still the highest return on the index. Naturally, the pandemic’s to blame for slow growth in other shares.

Performance over a three-year period (post-pandemic) is much higher, with Rolls returning 370% in that time. But Fraser’s ability to perform well despite the pandemic speaks volumes to the company’s resilience. So I’m considering whether this lesser-known gem could make a good long-term investment.



Sports and fashion Frasers’ most popular brand is Sports Direct, but it has many others, like House of Fraser, Flannels, Game, Studio Retail and more. Each caters to a different demographic, increasing the company’s defensive credentials. By offering extremely competitive pricing, Sports Direct, for instance, supported a big chunk of Frasers’ profits through 2023.

The premium House of Fraser department store brand has been less successful, with many of the high street stores across the UK closing. It’s had problems for years, but stubbornly high interest rates have likely forced consumers to opt for lower-cost alternatives, delaying its recovery. And it’s not alone — high-end fashion brands like have suffered a similar fate.

Yet Frasers’ upmarket Flannels chain appears strong and is a major focus f.

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