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Registered number: 12143828









ZORO UK LIMITED









ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
I M Holman 
M C D Nelson  




Company secretary
Corporation Service Company (UK) Limited



Registered number
12143828



Registered office
10th Floor
5 Churchill Place

London

E14 5HU




Independent auditors
Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor

3rd Floor, Waverley House

7-12 Noel Street

London

W1F 8GQ





 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 

CONTENTS



Page
Strategic Report
1 - 2
Directors' Report
3 - 4
Independent Auditors' Report
5 - 8
Statement of Comprehensive Income
9
Balance Sheet
10
Statement of Changes in Equity
11
Notes to the Financial Statements
12 - 26

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Introduction

The directors present their Strategic Report for the year ended 31 December 2024. Zoro UK Limited is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of W.W. Grainger Inc., an Illinois corporation ("Grainger") and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Grainger Global Online Business Ltd. ("GGOB").

Business review

Zoro UK Limited is an online distributor of industrial and business supplies. Our aim is to use the latest digital tools and technologies to make it easy for our customers to buy everything they need to keep their businesses operational. Our customers include a range of businesses and consumers.

We are focussed on significantly growing our assortment to  a diverse range of products used by businesses, from hand tools to office supplies to personal provide protective equipment. Our product range has increased from around 100,000 products in 2017 to over 3,500,000 products in 2024, contributing to increased turnover.

Zoro UK Limited embraces and adopts the latest technology for our website and operations. Developments in 2024 included search engine enhancements and an increase in product recommendations to enable a better user experience on our website. We are also ISO 27001 and 9001 certified, demonstrating our commitment to high quality and information security. 

We continue to innovate using the latest technology to offer a marketing-leading digital experience that encourages our customers to grow their business with us, through tailored marketing and online tools that help them find and buy the products they need.

We aim to continue to grow our customer base and our sales, in order to become a profitable business in the next 3-4 years with our parent company’s support.

Principal risks and uncertainties
 
The principal risks to the business include our dependence on Cromwell as our main supply chain and our financial dependence on our parent company W.W Grainger for cash investment to support our continued sales growth. Our sales growth continues at an aggressive pace year on year.
Arrangements with group Companies
The company’s capital comprises full Investment contributions only made by W.W Grainger Inc to support business growth, coupled with a commercial loan from our immediate parent company issued in the year of £3.4m. The validity of the investments is solely reliant on the performance of the company.
Page 1

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 

STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Financial key performance indicators
 
The company monitors all its key performance indicators (KPIs) through our monthly operating reviews and sets targets to measure the progress against its strategic objectives. The KPIs for the year were:






2024
Restated 2023
£000s
£000s
Turnover

28,220

23,939
 
Gross profit (%)

17.1%

17.2%
 
Operating loss

8,412

8,368
 
Net assets

4,586

12,923
 



Focus on gross margin and a drive towards break even in operating performance remains a key KPI for continued improvement. In 2024 management introduced a new accounting policy to capitalise development labour, this resulted in a net benefit of £490k (2023 - £430k) to the financial statements.

The continuation of the introduction of new products has been the catalyst to the turnover growth of 17.9%, a similar (or better) year on year trajectory is expected in the near-term future. The company continues to invest in Marketing and IT automation but does not expect the same magnitude of expenditure year on year.


This report was approved by the board on 25 September 2025 and signed on its behalf.



M C D Nelson
Director
Page 2

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Results and dividends

The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £8,336,840 (2023 restated - loss £8,367,677).

The Company did not declare a dividend in either the current or the prior year.

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

I M Holman 
J C McGee (resigned 2 February 2024) 
M C D Nelson 

Post balance sheet events

See Note 22 for details of significant events affecting the Company since the year end.
 
Future developments

The Company has no plans to significantly change operations in the future but anticipates continued incremental growth in sales.

Directors' responsibilities statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
 
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 3

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:

This report was approved by the board on 25 September 2025 and signed on its behalf.
 





M C D Nelson
Director
Page 4

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ZORO UK LIMITED
 

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of Zoro UK Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


In our opinion the financial statements:


give a true and fair view of the state of the Company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its loss for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.


Basis for opinion


We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern


In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.


Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


Page 5

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ZORO UK LIMITED (CONTINUED)


Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.


We have nothing to report in this regard.


Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:


the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception
 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.


Responsibilities of directors
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 3, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.


In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


Page 6

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ZORO UK LIMITED (CONTINUED)


Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.


Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We determined that the laws and regulations which are directly relevant to the financial statements are those that relate to the reporting framework FRS 102 and the relevant tax compliance regulations in the
jurisdictions in which the Company operates. We evaluated the extent of compliance with these laws and
regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

In addition, there are other significant laws and regulations which may have an effect on the determination of the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements being those laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety, employment law, data protection, fraud, bribery and corruption. For these laws and regulations, the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through fines or litigation being imposed. As required by the auditing standards, auditing procedures in respect of non-compliance with these identified laws and regulations are limited to enquiry of the Directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by meeting with a number of individuals and conducted interviews to understand where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud.

Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations and fraud risks identified in the paragraphs above. In addition to the audit procedures, we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. The specific audit procedures performed included: 

°Reviewed large and unusual bank transactions;  
°Identifying and testing journal entries. 


Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.


A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.


Page 7

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ZORO UK LIMITED (CONTINUED)


Use of our report
 

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Sally Casson (Senior Statutory Auditor)
  
for and on behalf of
Ecovis Wingrave Yeats LLP
 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
  
3rd Floor, Waverley House
7-12 Noel Street
London
W1F 8GQ

25 September 2025
Page 8

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024
Restated
2023
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
28,220,338
23,938,871

Cost of sales
  
(23,404,741)
(19,815,475)

Gross profit
  
4,815,597
4,123,396

Administrative expenses
  
(13,227,797)
(12,491,073)

Operating loss
 5 
(8,412,200)
(8,367,677)

Interest receivable and similar income
 9 
89,385
-

Interest payable and similar expenses
 10 
(14,025)
-

Loss before tax
  
(8,336,840)
(8,367,677)

Tax on loss
 11 
-
-

Loss for the financial year
  
(8,336,840)
(8,367,677)

There was no other comprehensive income for 2024 (2023:£NIL).

The notes on pages 12 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
Page 9

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 12143828

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024
Restated
2023
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Intangible fixed assets
 12 
1,484,328
1,054,149

Tangible fixed assets
 13 
69,529
70,358

  
1,553,857
1,124,507

Current assets
  

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 14 
3,837,356
8,422,024

Bank and cash balances
  
7,289,132
8,512,966

  
11,126,488
16,934,990

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 15 
(8,094,235)
(5,136,547)

Net current assets
  
 
 
3,032,253
 
 
11,798,443

Total assets less current liabilities
  
4,586,110
12,922,950

  

Net assets
  
4,586,110
12,922,950


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 16 
24,000,002
24,000,002

Share premium account
 17 
15,322,851
15,322,851

Profit and loss account
 17 
(34,736,743)
(26,399,903)

  
4,586,110
12,922,950


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 25 September 2025.




M C D Nelson
Director

The notes on pages 12 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024


Called up share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£
£


At 1 January 2023 (as previously stated)
16,000,002
15,322,851
(18,450,286)
12,872,567

Prior year adjustment - change in accounting policy
-
-
418,060
418,060


At 1 January 2023 (as restated)
16,000,002
15,322,851
(18,032,226)
13,290,627


Comprehensive income for the year

Loss for the year (as restated)
-
-
(8,367,677)
(8,367,677)
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(8,367,677)
(8,367,677)


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Shares issued during the year
8,000,000
-
-
8,000,000



At 1 January 2024 (as previously stated)
24,000,002
15,322,851
(27,247,722)
12,075,131

Prior year adjustment - change in accounting policy
-
-
847,819
847,819


At 1 January 2024 (as restated)
24,000,002
15,322,851
(26,399,903)
12,922,950


Comprehensive income for the year

Loss for the year
-
-
(8,336,840)
(8,336,840)
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(8,336,840)
(8,336,840)


At 31 December 2024
24,000,002
15,322,851
(34,736,743)
4,586,110


The notes on pages 12 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
Page 11

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1.


General information

Zoro UK Limited is a private Company, limited by shares, incorporated in England and Wales, registration number 12143828. The registered office is 10th Floor, 5 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HU.

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by the FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland":

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;
the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d);
the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.42, 11.44 to 11.45, 11.47,
11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);
the requirements of Section 12 Other Financial Instruments paragraphs 12.26 to 12.27,
12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A;
the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.

This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of W.W Grainger, Inc. as at 31 December 2024 and these financial statements may be obtained from W.W. Grainger, Inc 100
Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, IL 60045 - 5201.

 
2.3

Going concern

W.W. Grainger, Inc., the ultimate parent Company, has agreed to continue to provide financial support to the Company in order for it to continue to operate on a going concern basis for a period of no less than twelve months from the date of signing of these financial statements. As a result the Directors have an expectation that the Company will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

Page 12

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.4

Revenue

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Sale of goods

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
the Company has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;
the Company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and
the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

 
2.5

Interest income

Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

 
2.6

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

 
2.7

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

At each reporting date the company assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.

 The estimated useful lives range as follows:

Development costs
-
3 to 7 years
Computer Software
-
3 years
Page 13

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.8

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Office equipment
-
          3      years
Computer equipment
-
          4      years

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.

 
2.9

Operating leases: the Company as lessee

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.

 
2.10

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

Page 14

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.11

Financial instruments

The Company only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in ordinary shares. 

Debt instruments (other than those wholly repayable or receivable within one year), including loans and other accounts receivable and payable, are initially measured at present value of the future cash flows and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade debtors and creditors, are measured, initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. However, if the arrangements of a short-term instrument constitute a financing transaction, like the payment of a trade debt deferred beyond normal business terms or in case of an out-right short-term loan that is not at market rate, the financial asset or liability is measured, initially at the present value of future cash flows discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument and subsequently at amortised cost, unless it qualifies as a loan from a Director in the case of a small Company, or a public benefit entity concessionary loan.  

Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 
2.12

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The Company's functional and presentational currency is GBP.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the Profit and Loss Account within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'other operating income'.

Page 15

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.13

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The Company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance Sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.

  
2.14

Share-based payments

The Company participates in the W.W. Grainger, Inc. Long Term Incentive Program. Pursuant to the Plan, employees can receive remuneration in the form of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") from W.W. Grainger, Inc. ("Grainger"), the ultimate parent and controlling entity, as set out in Note 23. The Company accounts for share based payments in accordance with FRS 102 s.26, which requires all employee share awards to be expensed in the profit and loss statement with the expense measured at fair value at the date of grant and amortised over the vesting period.

Restricted stock units ("RSU") are stock awards that are granted to employees entitling the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests, typically vest equally over a three-year requisite service period. RSUs are measured at estimated fair value on the number of shares granted and the quoted market price of Grainger common stock at the date of grant.

The estimated fair value of RSUs is amortised over the respective vesting terms and recognised as share-based payment expense. As only two employees participate in the scheme, and these transactions have been accounted for within the parent entity, Managment have assessed the impact as immaterial and do not recognise the expense within the Company financial statements.

 
2.15

Taxation

Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company operates and generates income.


Page 16

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

3.


Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Internally generated intangible assets

The capitalisation of development costs requires judgement in determining whether the costs meet the criteria for recognition as internally generated intangible assets under applicable accounting standards. This involves distinguishing between research and development phases and assessing the nature of activities undertaken.
 
The majority of capitalised development costs relate to employee time, which is assessed based on role and function. Capitalisation rates are applied as follows:
Full-time developers: 70% of working hours is capitalised.
Managerial roles: 50% of working hours is capitalised.
Not all development time is capitalised, and time spent on activities that do not meet the recognition criteria—such as general maintenance, support, or research—is expensed as incurred.

Judgement is also applied in determining the appropriate amortisation policy for capitalised development costs. Zoro applies a 7-year useful life to internally generated intangible assets, reflecting the expected economic benefit period of the developed software and systems.
Impairment of intangible fixed assets
Management continually use judgements to ascertain whether there are indicators of impairment of the Company’s tangible fixed assets. Factors taken into consideration in reaching such a decision include the economic viability and expected future financial performance of the assets and where it is a component of a large cash-generating unit, the viability and expected future performance of that unit. 
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are depreciated over their useful lives taking into account residual value, where appropriate. The actual lives of the assets and residual values are assessed annually and may vary depending on a number of factors. In re-assessing asset lives, factors such as technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes are taken into account. Residual values include consideration of is ues such as future market conditions, the remaining life of the asset and projected disposal values. 
Deferred tax asset 
Management is required to assess whether it is appropriate to recognise a deferred tax asset relating to taxable losses available to the Company. The recognition of deferred tax assets is based on upon whether it is more likely than not that sufficient and suitable taxable profits will be available in the future against which the reversal of losses and other deductions can be deducted.  
To determine the future taxable profits, reference is made to the latest available forecasts. Therefore, this involves judgement regarding the future financial performance of the Company in which a deferred tax asset has been recognised. The losses available to be offset against future trading profits are £35,214,044. No deferred tax asset has been recognised.

Page 17

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4.


Turnover

An analysis of turnover by class of business is as follows:


2024
2023
£
£

Sale of goods
28,220,338
23,938,871

28,220,338
23,938,871


All turnover arose within the United Kingdom.


5.


Operating loss

The operating loss is stated after charging:

2024
Restated 2023
£
£

Exchange differences
8,279
18,062

Other operating lease rentals
173,215
182,035

Depreciation
32,590
35,479

Amortisation
340,784
295,810


6.


Auditors' remuneration

During the year, the Company obtained the following services from the Company's auditors:


2024
2023
£
£

Fees payable to the Company's auditors for the audit of the Company's financial statements
31,950
29,950

Fees payable to the Company's auditors in respect of:

Taxation compliance services
3,350
3,350

All non-audit services not included above
3,350
2,146

Page 18

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7.


Employees

Staff costs, including Directors' remuneration, were as follows:


2024
2023
£
£

Wages and salaries
4,726,608
4,521,238

Social security costs
535,156
522,180

Cost of defined contribution scheme
309,186
299,647

5,570,950
5,343,065



Staff costs are presented gross of developer wages capitalised totaling £534,032 (2023 - £535,534).
The Company's employees and Directors participate in several group-wide stock compensation schemes. Under these schemes the relevant charge is calculated by the Company's ultimate controlling party and an appropriate portion is allocated to the Company, where material. Further detail on the expense relating to the Director can be found in note 8.

The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:


        2024
        2023
            No.
            No.







Average number of employees
101
98

Page 19

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8.


Directors' remuneration

2024
2023
£
£

Directors' emoluments
226,480
218,489

Directors national insurance
41,313
30,630

Directors pension costs
13,869
13,287

281,662
262,406


During the year retirement benefits were accruing to 1 Director (2023 - 1) in respect of defined contribution pension schemes.

The highest paid director received remuneration of £226,480 (2023 - £218,489).

The value of the Company's contributions paid to a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the highest paid director amounted to £13,869 (2023 - £13,287).

During the year 1 Director was entitled to shares under the long-term incentive schemes (2023 - 1) and the related expense for the year, had it been recognised in these financial statements, would be $52,501 (2023 - $42,768).


9.


Interest receivable

2024
2023
£
£


Bank interest receivable
89,385
-

89,385
-


10.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
2023
£
£


Loans from group undertakings
14,025
-

14,025
-

Page 20

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

11.


Taxation


2024
2023
£
£



Total current tax
-
-

Deferred tax

Total deferred tax
-
-


Tax on loss
-
-

Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is higher than (2023 - higher than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 23.5%). The differences are explained below:

2024
Restated 2023
£
£


Loss on ordinary activities before tax
(8,336,840)
(8,367,677)


Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 23.5%)
(2,084,210)
(2,067,397)

Effects of:


Deferred tax not recognised
2,084,210
2,067,397

Total tax charge for the year
-
-


Factors that may affect future tax charges

To determine the future taxable profits, reference is made to the latest available forecasts. Therefore, this involves judgement regarding the future financial performance of the Company in which a deferred tax asset has been recognised. The losses available to be offset against future trading profits are £35,214,044. No deferred tax asset has been recognised.

Page 21

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

12.


Intangible assets




Computer software & development costs

£



Cost


At 1 January 2024 (as previously stated)
818,212


Prior year adjustment - change in accounting policy 
987,361


At 1 January 2024 (as restated)
1,805,573


Additions
770,963



At 31 December 2024

2,576,536



Amortisation


At 1 January 2024 (as previously stated)
611,882


Prior year adjustment - change in accounting policy 
139,542


At 1 January 2024 (as restated)
751,424


Charge for the year
340,784



At 31 December 2024

1,092,208



Net book value



At 31 December 2024
1,484,328



At 31 December 2023 (as restated)
1,054,149



Page 22

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13.


Tangible fixed assets





Long-term leasehold property
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Total

£
£
£
£



Cost or valuation


At 1 January 2024
22,834
17,849
148,117
188,800


Additions
7,497
-
24,288
31,785


Disposals
-
-
(1,083)
(1,083)



At 31 December 2024

30,331
17,849
171,322
219,502



Depreciation


At 1 January 2024
1,934
16,792
99,716
118,442


Charge for the year on owned assets
3,066
1,057
28,468
32,591


Disposals
-
-
(1,060)
(1,060)



At 31 December 2024

5,000
17,849
127,124
149,973



Net book value



At 31 December 2024
25,331
-
44,198
69,529



At 31 December 2023
20,900
1,057
48,401
70,358


14.


Debtors

2024
2023
£
£


Trade debtors
1,898,156
1,586,767

Amounts owed by group undertakings
1,494,673
6,419,327

Other debtors
61,990
47,644

Prepayments and accrued income
382,537
368,286

3,837,356
8,422,024


Amounts owed by group undertakings are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.

Page 23

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

15.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2024
2023
£
£

Trade creditors
1,091,046
496,154

Amounts owed to group undertakings
6,120,415
3,609,112

Other taxation and social security
96,425
21,210

Other creditors
-
41,663

Accruals and deferred income
786,349
968,408

8,094,235
5,136,547


Included within amounts owed to group undertakings is a new loan issued in the year from the  immediate parent Company  Grainger Global Online Business Ltd. The loan has a capital amount of £3,400,000 that was drawn down within the year. The capital portion of the loan is repayable in December 2025. 
Interest is charged at 5.5% per anum and is payable semi-annually. Interest of £14,025 was charged on the loan during the period which has been offset against the amount owed by Grainger Global Online Business Ltd included within the amounts owed by group undertakings total in note 14.
All other amounts owed to group undertakings are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.


16.


Share capital

2024
2023
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



24,000,002 (2023 - 24,000,002) Ordinary Shares shares of £1.00 each
24,000,002
24,000,002



17.


Reserves

Share premium account

Share premium represents amounts paid for shares in excess of their nominal value.

Page 24

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

18.


Prior year adjustment - change in accounting policy

The company has changed its accounting policy for Intangible assets. The previous accounting policy was to expense the labour costs relating to revenue enhancing and cost efficiency initiatives through automation and website development. In the opinion of the directors, the new policy provides reliable information and is more relevant than the policy it replaces. The new accounting policy is to capitalise these labour costs using percentages of the total monthly labour cost. The capitlisation percentage depends on the job role; this is 70% for full time developers, 50% for managerial roles and 0% for helpdesk roles.  
The change in accounting policy has been applied retrospectively, and comparative information has been restated accordingly. The impact of the change is as follows:

For the year 2022, £451,827 of salary costs were capitalised as additions to intangible assets, with an additional £33,767 of amortisation for the year.
For the year 2023, £535,534 of salary costs were capitalised as additions to intangible assets, with an additional £105,775 of amortisation for the year.

The effect of the change is to reduce the retained losses as at 1 January 2023 by £418,060 and reduce the reported losses for 2023 by £429,759.
Periods prior to 1 January 2022 have not been restated as the impact is not considered to be material.


19.


Pension commitments

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amounted to £309,186 (2023 - £299,647). At the year end the liability owed to the fund was £Nil (2023 - £35,657).


20.


Commitments under operating leases

At 31 December 2024 the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:

2024
2023
£
£


Not later than 1 year
69,834
160,314

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
-
66,798

69,834
227,112

Page 25

 
ZORO UK LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

21.


Related party transactions

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under FRS 102, Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.1A, whereby the Company is not required to disclose transactions with other wholly owned subsidiaries or Companies in a group that are wholly owned. 
During the year the Company incurred service fees of £300,125
 (2023 - £402,290) from a related party by virtue of common ownership. The amount outstanding at the balance sheet date in respect of these transactions was £Nil (2023 - £784,954).


22.


Post balance sheet events

On 16th September 2025, the Company received additional funding amounting to £3,000,000 from its parent company, Grainger Global Online Business LTD (“GGOB”). This funding is in the form of an intercompany loan and is intended to support the Company’s working capital requirements and future growth initiatives.
 
The Company has an existing loan of £3,400,000 from GGOB that was originally set to mature on December 3, 2025. As part of the new funding arrangement, the terms of the existing loan have been renegotiated. The key modifications to the loan agreement include:

The principal loan amount has been increased to £6,400,000.
The new maturity date for the loan is December 31, 2026.


23.


Controlling party

The immediate parent Company is Grainger Global Online Business Ltd., a Company incorporated in the United Kingdom. 

The Directors regard W.W. Grainger, Inc a Company incorporated in Illinois, USA, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as the ultimate parent undertaking and the ultimate controlling party. The entity is controlled by its shareholders. 

W.W. Grainger, Inc., is the parent Company of the largest and smallest group of which the Company is a member and for which group accounts are drawn up. Copies of the accounts are available from their  Investors Relations department at: W.W. Grainger, Inc 100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, IL 60045 - 5201.
 
Page 26