Hof House

The House of Fraser management team were in Home House last night. Nothing unusual about that, as sometimes it seems like the trendy members club is their office canteen, but last night was a special occasion as they held a party to celebrate the relaunch of iconic brand Biba.

I don’t remember Biba first time around, but I’ve heard my mum talking about the buzz it created in 60s Ken High Street under the legendary Barbara Hulanicki. The name retains an aura about it and what struck me last night was how authentic the retro looks were on the dresses. It looks very vintage and seems to have gone down well, with sales of £300,000 in the first week of trading in 30-odd HoF stores.

John King and his team including the ever-positive Matt Chambers were on good form - although John didn’t appear to think much of the Retail Week cartoon he appeared in a couple of weeks ago - and the results published today show why. First half EBITDA was up 22% to £13m and like for like sales are currently running at +10%.

HoF’s house brands are doing well and it seems to finally be getting online right after a period of lagging behind the pack. I’ve also been impressed with the stores, where branches which hadn’t been touched for decades like the old Army & Navy in Victoria Street and - I’m told - Carlisle - have been tarted up and are looking much more like places for designer brands to be sold. The business probably still isn’t as profitable as it should be, but it’s definitely moving in the right direction.