Kitsch homewares and fashion retailer Cath Kidston operating profits nearly doubled in the 53 weeks to April as the company expanded overseas.

Operating profit leapt from £7.6m to £14.7m, while sales jumped 37% to £68.9m.

It is the first set of results since private equity firm TA Associates bought a stake in the business in March last year, which valued the retailer at around £100m.

However, the retailer reported a pretax loss of £3m, in part due to the structure of the private equity deal, as well as interest accrued on shareholder loan notes, according to The Telegraph.

In the year Cath Kidston opened six stores in the UK, as well as six in Japan and Korea, as the retailer takes advantage of the Far East’s vintage English style.

Cath Kidston chairman Paul Mason said: “Given the difficult retail market, I am delighted that Cath Kidston continues to resonate and we are growing strongly.”