News roundup–Mothercare, French Connection, more


Total direct sales at maternity retailer
Mothercare are up 18.2 percent to £126.8
million in the 52 weeks ended 27th March. Sales at the company’s
UK direct division now account for more than 20 percent of total
UK business split between orders placed at home and through
in-store kiosks. Group sales during the period rose 5.9 percent
to £766.4 million. Underlying pretax profit for the period
was almost flat, rising just a scant 0.8 percent to £37.2
million.

In a trading statement for the first 14 weeks of the new
financial year, UK and European revenues in French
Connection
‘s retail division dipped 1.9 percent on a
like-for-like basis. Margin, however, improved due to less
discounting. The company says that its French Connection
ecommerce division and mail order catalogue
Toast continue to “perform
well”.

The directors of London department store Liberty
are asking shareholders to accept the terms of a £32 million
offer from private equity house BlueGem Capital Partners. The
Times writes that the sale process turned
sour last week when rival bidder Pyrrho Investments claimed its
counter bid had not been fully considered.

Jaeger is said to be eyeing international
expansion. The apparel chain plans to open more stores in
continental Europe and expand its presence in the Middle East, as
well as opening a standalone store in the US. Jaeger increased
underlying profits from £6 million to £7 million in the
year to February 28, on flat sales of £85.5 million reports
the Financial Times.

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