N Brown partners with Amazon Fashion as profits edge up

The JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be owner posted a 1.8% rise in adjusted pre-tax profit to £32.2m in the 26 weeks to August 27.

The retail group’s overall revenue rose 5.6% year-on-year to £453.4m, driven by a 21% jump in sales at Simply Be, a 12.1% sales increase at JD Williams and a 6.7% sales rise at Jacamo.

Across N Brown’s power brands, revenue rose 14.3% and the number of active customers surged 7.5%.

However, the retailer’s Fifty Plus division across JD Williams suffered and sales were down 5.2% during the period.

Amazon tie-up

N Brown hopes to accelerate its growth through a new tie-up with Amazon Fashion to sell its Simply Be and Jacamo brands.

It will also sell Jacamo products via online capsule collections on the Debenhams website.

N Brown’s margins were negatively impacted by currency fluctuations during the period, and gross product margins dropped 190 basis points to 54%.

The retail group’s online revenue rose 14%, bolstered by a 21% surge across its power brands.

Chief executive Angela Spindler said: “I am very pleased to report continued good trading in the half.

“We made significant ladieswear market share gains against what remains a subdued consumer backdrop.

“Our transformation into a flexible, online retailer continues to benefit all aspects of our business and we are today sharing our three growth levers going forwards.

”These are continuing to gain share in the UK, growing internationally and working in partnership with other companies to offer even more choice to our customers.

“At this early stage in the second half, current trading is on track with our plan and we are focused and well prepared for the peak trading period ahead.

”We are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable long-term growth and achieve our international ambitions.”