N Brown Group has announced its quarterly trading update for the 15 weeks to 14th June. Total group revenues at the online, catalogue and stores retailer, we re up by 2.6 per cent, including like for like for like growth of 2.5 per cent. Simply Be and Jacamo were up by 6 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, with retail store like for likes up by 20 per cent and demand in the US up by 15 per cent.
The business is poised to open a further seven Simply Be/Jacamo dual branded stores which will, it says, create 240 new jobs. CEO Angela Spindler said that ” we are in a period of transition to move us toward our mission to be the leading global retailer famous for making shopping for fashion easy and enjoyable regardless of size. We are modernising the business, broadening our appeal and refocusing on our differentiated proposition – fashion that fits.”
A planned shift from high ticket electrical items and ranges which attract disproportionate levels of bad debt and fraud is improving the quality of sales and recovery of lost sales from these ranges by its “Famous Five” Home and Gift categories – bedding, home décor, family gifts, outdoor living and homewares is underway. The group has also seen positive response to its cash payment, rather than terms option, and has put a dedicated international team in place to drive its Simply Be business in the United States.
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