International furniture retailer Courts is testing a new look on the UK high street.
It is also eyeing up as many as 50 new UK superstores as the British division prepares to deliver a meaningful return for the first time since 1997.
Courts retail director Simon Cooper, who joined from Arcadia in the summer to head up retail, logistics and property, has overseen the first high street refit at Burgess Hill in Sussex.
'We have spent a bit of money on the store to make it look more up to date and will see how it performs over the next few weeks,' says Cooper.
'We think it will appeal to a broader market and attract more first-time buyers.'
The contemporary look features wooden flooring and better segmentation. All 32 high street stores will be revamped if the first is a success.
UK managing director Steven Cohen has been pushing through a radical programme of change, and the overhaul will culminate with a big brand drive next year. A new buying team - including Mireille Baumgart, who was poached from Kingdom of Leather - has delivered more aspirational product, stimulating like-for-like order growth of 26 per cent.
The retailer has been resizing out-of-town stores and introducing a new brand identity slowly. There are now 18 refurbished shops within the 97-strong estate, and a further 30 will be completed by September. The retailer plans to designate some outlets as 'brand flagships'.
Courts interim group sales rose from£283.7 million to£305.1 million.
Pre-tax losses for the retailer widened from£6.6 million to£7.6 million.
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