AO RETAIL LIMITED consistently operates on extended payment terms, with an average payment time of 55 days, significantly beyond standard 30-day expectations. A dominant 77% of payments fall within the 31-60 day window, establishing a clear operational pattern for suppliers. Only 3% of invoices are settled within 30 days, indicating that fast payments are not a standard practice for this company.
While the majority of payments are predictable within the 31-60 day range, a notable 20% extending over 60 days introduces some variability and cash flow planning challenges for suppliers. The relatively low 4% late payment rate suggests that, despite the longer cycles, AO RETAIL LIMITED generally adheres to its established, albeit extended, payment terms. The primary risk stems from the extended payment duration for a fifth of invoices, rather than frequent outright delinquency.
Suppliers should anticipate average payment terms of 55 days from AO RETAIL LIMITED and must align their cash flow projections accordingly. The key decision factor is the supplier's capacity to comfortably finance operations for 31-60 days, acknowledging the 20% possibility of payments exceeding 60 days. Risk mitigation involves building sufficient working capital buffers and potentially adjusting pricing or payment terms to account for the extended cycles.
| Reporting Period | Filing Date | Average Time to Pay (days) | Paid within 30 days | Paid 31-60 days | Paid after 60 days | Not Paid within Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 | 30 Apr 2026 | 56 | 3% | 81% | 16% | 4% |
| 01 Apr 2025 - 30 Sept 2025 | 29 Oct 2025 | 55 | 3% | 77% | 20% | 4% |
| 01 Oct 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 | 30 Apr 2025 | 55 | 6% | 77% | 17% | 7% |
| 01 Apr 2024 - 30 Sept 2024 | 28 Oct 2024 | 58 | 3% | 73% | 24% | 12% |
| 01 Oct 2023 - 31 Mar 2024 | 29 Apr 2024 | 55 | 2% | 78% | 20% | 21% |
| 01 Apr 2023 - 30 Sept 2023 | 20 Oct 2023 | 32 | 50% | 44% | 6% | 35% |
| 01 Oct 2022 - 31 Mar 2023 | 25 Apr 2023 | 37 | 35% | 61% | 4% | 35% |
| 01 Apr 2022 - 30 Sept 2022 | 27 Oct 2022 | 53 | 1% | 76% | 22% | 31% |
| 01 Oct 2021 - 31 Mar 2022 | 25 Apr 2022 | 57 | 3% | 65% | 32% | 24% |
| 01 Apr 2021 - 30 Sept 2021 | 26 Oct 2021 | 61 | 2% | 62% | 36% | 22% |
| 01 Oct 2020 - 31 Mar 2021 | 28 Apr 2021 | 52 | 7% | 77% | 16% | 8% |
| 01 Apr 2020 - 30 Sept 2020 | 28 Oct 2020 | 51 | 6% | 91% | 3% | 7% |
| 01 Oct 2019 - 31 Mar 2020 | 29 Apr 2020 | 51 | 3% | 88% | 9% | 9% |
| 01 Apr 2019 - 30 Sept 2019 | 30 Oct 2019 | 49 | 3% | 88% | 9% | 12% |
| 01 Oct 2018 - 31 Mar 2019 | 30 Apr 2019 | 51 | 3% | 89% | 8% | 7% |
| 01 Apr 2018 - 30 Sept 2018 | 30 Oct 2018 | 48 | 5% | 88% | 7% | 18% |
This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.
Standard payment terms
Standard payment terms range from 30 days to 60 days, with the only exceptions being in specific agreed circumstances between both parties.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No information available
Any other information about payment terms
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
60
All queries are managed by a dedicated accounts payable team who liase with suppliers in the case of any queries. Regular dialogue is made with suppliers and attempts to resolve queries in a timely manner.
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices?
For example, signatories to The Prompt Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
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Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
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Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
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Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
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During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No information available
AO Retail Limited, previously known as Appliances Online Limited and later DRL Limited, sells domestic appliances and electricals through mail order and internet retail channels, in line with its registered activity of retail sale via mail order houses or via the internet. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary within the AO group, controlled by AO Ltd since 2016. It has supplied domestic and commercial white goods and appliances to housing associations and similar organisations through public sector contracts, including provision of appliances and domestic white goods procurement agreements. As part of a wider retail group, its own role is that of the UK retail trading entity handling appliance sales rather than manufacturing or group-wide functions.
Generated from the company's website and Companies House records. Sources: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · companiesintheuk.co.uk