Breakfast briefing: Black Friday, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and more

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Retail news round-up: Belfast's shopping centre footfall surges, Woollen Mill group reports pre-tax profit, and Les 100 Ciels debuts at Glasglow

Belfast’s shopping centre footfall surges for Black Friday

The number of shoppers at Belfast’s shopping centre increased almost 20% on Black Friday weekend, The Belfast Telegraph reported.

Retailers across Northern Ireland offered discounts up to 70%, which led to shops reporting up to a 30% boost in sales.

Victoria Square’s centre manager Michelle Greeves said: "Black Friday weekend was a fabulous start to the Christmas shopping period as footfall in Victoria Square over the three days was 19% higher than in 2015."

Woollen Mill group reports pre-tax profit of £90.9m

Edinburgh Woollen Mill has disclosed pre-tax profit of £90.9m in its latest financial year, Herald Scotland reported.

The retailer raised turnover from £562.6m to £576.3m in the year ended February 28 and paid dividends of £30.5m. No dividend had been paid the year before.

Company accounts show a net assets increase from £280.1m to £320.2m at year-end.

The company said: “Despite the challenging trading environment, the EWM group continues to build a strong position in each of the markets in which it operates.”

Les 100 Ciels debuts at Princes Square

Les 100 Ciels, which is French for The Hundred Skies, has declared Scotland as a “perfect fit” after choosing Glasgow as the location for its first store in the UK outside London, Herald Scotland reported.

Les 100 Ciels has launched its new store in Princes Square.

Les 100 Ciels regional manager Megan Lewis said: “We are thrilled to be opening our debut store in Glasgow. It marks an integral part of our brand journey.

“We feel that Scotland is a perfect fit for Les 100 Ciels and we can’t wait to see the public’s reaction to a new retailer.”

Princes Square’s marketing manager Claire Wilkinson said: “Les 100 Ciels is the perfect fit for our shoppers and will complement our existing fashion offering.

“We are committed to bringing in big, exclusive and independent brands – something Princes Square is renowned for.”