Lorna Jane has grown its workforce by more than a third in FY25, adding 326 staff to reach 1,217 employees across four countries, as the activewear brand's retail expansion and record $223.2 million in sales drive significant operational scaling.
The staffing jump — up from 891 employees in the prior reporting period — is detailed in the brand's FY25 Modern Slavery Statement, filed alongside ASIC accounts showing a 10.5 per cent lift in total sales and operating profit up more than 20 per cent to $35.3 million.
The workforce growth is anchored in Australia, where 1,072 staff — 88 per cent of the total headcount — work across the brand's retail network, Queensland headquarters and warehouse operations. A further 124 team members are based in New Zealand, representing 10 per cent of the workforce, with the remaining staff split between China (12 full-time) and Manila (nine contractors).
The expansion tracks closely with Lorna Jane's store network activity. The brand opened six new locations, relocated seven and closed three during the financial year, bringing its total Australian footprint to 99 stores and maintaining 11 in New Zealand. CEO Anna Fowler, who has led the brand since early 2023, credited product quality and customer loyalty as the drivers of performance, noting the brand has never competed on price.
New Zealand has emerged as a standout growth market, recording a 26 per cent sales lift. The result has prompted the brand to invest in a new NZ$8 million, 2,500sqm warehouse to support continued regional expansion.
Of the 1,217-strong workforce, 84 per cent work in retail roles across Australia and New Zealand. The employment mix skews heavily casual, with 72 per cent of staff on casual contracts, 24 per cent full-time and four per cent part-time.
The workforce figures were published as part of Lorna Jane's fifth statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2018, which also documented supply chain and governance developments. The brand reported 100 per cent traceability of Tier 1 suppliers and fabric mills and launched a Non-Trade Procurement ESG Program covering 128 suppliers with annual spend above $50,000.
Lorna Jane's profit after tax rose just over $1 million to $22.7 million for the period, though foreign exchange movements reduced total comprehensive income slightly, to $21.7 million.