Outdoors retailer Blacks is to develop its Freespirit brand with a greater focus on womenswear, following its decision to retain its interest in the label.

Blacks acting chief executive Keith Fleming said: “The heritage of the brand has always been menswear, but womenswear has been performing well in a difficult market, so we want to make the brand 50:50 in terms of mens- and womenswear, instead of 60:40.”

The retailer will also extend its Millets refurbishment programme to all stores and is separately testing a low-cost fit-out. Fleming said: “Millets customers are concerned with the technical products, so the design showcases product, making them easily visible and emphasising quality.”

In its interim results for the 26 weeks to September 1, Blacks reported a group like-for-like sales rise of 3 per cent. The retailer is still searching for a chief executive.

Landsbanki analysts said that while it is encouraging to see positive like-for-like growth, because it is set against weaker comparatives and better weather the performance suggests stabilisation at best, rather than renewed operating momentum.

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