Financial Performance
ME Group International Plc reported six‑month revenue of £154.3 million for the period ended 30 April 2026, a modest 0.3% increase year‑on‑year. EBITDA rose to £57 million from £53.2 million in the comparable period, while profit before tax declined 3.8% to £32.7 million. Diluted earnings per share were 6.48 pence, down 3.9% from the prior year. The board reaffirmed its full‑year profit before tax guidance of £69 million to £74 million.
Business Segments
The company's laundry vending business, Wash.ME, generated revenue of £54.8 million, up 16.3% YoY, and recorded an 11.1% year‑on‑year increase in vending revenue in May. Wash.ME installed 499 net new machines during the first half of the year and plans approximately 800 additional installations in the second half, targeting a total of 1,300 machines for FY 2026. Photobooth and laundry revenues grew 25.9% and 1.8% respectively after a temporary slowdown in April linked to weaker consumer spending in France.
Strategic Partnerships and Contracts
ME Group signed a new partnership with ASDA in the United Kingdom to install and operate Wash.ME laundry machines across ASDA sites, described as the largest laundry agreement in the company’s history. The group also renewed two multi‑year contracts in France—a seven‑year agreement with national rail operator SNCF and a five‑year agreement with Paris transport operator RATP—together contributing more than £9.0 million of revenue.
Dividend and Outlook
The board declared an interim dividend of 3.60 pence per ordinary share, representing a 6.5% reduction from the £3.85 pence paid a year earlier. Chairman Sir John Lewis noted that the consumer environment in France remained cautious due to weaker demand and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, particularly the conflict in the Middle East. Chief Executive Serge Crasnianski said the group continued strategic progress, with laundry operations now accounting for over 38% of total revenue and 54% of EBITDA.