Like-for-likes at Kookaï – which is owned as part of a 50:50 joint venture by Amery Capital, the investment group founded by Maurice Helfgott and Kookaï SA, a subsidiary of French retail group Vivarte – rose 9 per cent in the eight weeks to January 10.
Finance director Sam Duffy has left the retailer to start at Mosaic as finance director of its boutique brands, which include Coast and Karen Millen. She will be replaced by Daniel Price, who joins from luxury handbags group Tanner Krolle next week.
Managing director Guy Critchlow said he is “optimistic about organic like-for-like growth” at the retailer and that stock levels are “well controlled” going into spring. He added that Kookaï’s international design focus will differentiate it from rivals in the tough retail climate.
Critchlow said that, in the past 12 months, the brand had had a “rebirth” on the UK high street, after it went into administration in January 2006.
Amery Capital is backed by retail entrepreneurs and Oasis, Warehouse and Coast founders the Bennett brothers.
Kookaï has 50 UK and Ireland stores and concessions and will open six concessions this year with established partners House of Fraser and Debenhams.
The retailer will also launch a transactional web site in the autumn, which it plans to turn into one of its largest stores within six months.
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