Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Buoyant sales of home accessories helped Laura Ashley put in a “resilient performance in all product categories” in the six months to August 1.
The retailer grew group sales 6.3% to £127.8m, while sales in the UK rose 6.1% to £101.5m, up 6.7% on a like-for-like basis. E-commerce sales were up 36.1%.
However, pre-tax profit took a hit, down from £4.7m in the equivalent period last year to £1.1m. The 77% drop was attributed to foreign exchange losses.
Sales of home accessories enjoyed a 10.2% increase, although furniture saw the biggest boost, up 19.1%. In the UK, home accessories account for 26% of sales.
Chairman K P Khoo said he was “encouraged by the positive start we have seen to the second half and remain cautiously optimistic that this momentum will continue through to the end of the year”.
