Real Time Control Plc (RTC), a UK-based supplier of software and services for the retail industry, recorded a 37.3% increase in net profits for the year to March 31 to 2.9m pounds ($4.6m) on revenue that grew 5.7% to 16.7m pounds ($26.8m). the company says that despite the difficult economic environment for many retailers, it sees no reduction in investment in store systems.
With a 25-year history in the EPOS business, RTC once offered its own proprietary hardware and software. Now it is concentrating on software and services, which accounts for 73% of this year’s revenue compared with 60% a year ago. This move away from hardware has slowed revenue growth but operating margins have risen to 21% against 13% five years ago.
RTC is concentrating on opportunities in Europe and has no immediate ambitions to move into a ferociously competitive US market. With a 13.7m pound ($22m) cash pile, acquisitions are also on the agenda but the company will give no clues as to what kind of company it has designs on.
