Mulberry's UK retail operation achieved like-for-like sales growth of 11 per cent in the six months to September 30.

Operating profits plummeted to£1.1 million from£2.5 million last year.

Group sales increased 4 per cent to£21.5 million from£20.7 million in the same period last year. Gross profit margin climbed to 57.4 per cent from 56.5 per cent in 2006.

Trading has remained strong, with Mulberry's UK sales soaring 36 per cent in the nine weeks to December 1 and like-for-likes ahead 9 per cent.

In the six-month period, Mulberry opened eight stores internationally and nine concessions. In the next six months, a further two stores are set to open in the UK: one at Covent Garden and one at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Mulberry chairman and chief executive Godfrey Davis said: “We continue to take the various steps needed to develop Mulberry as a global luxury brand. The group continues to make steady progress, while the foundations for international growth in the medium term are laid.”

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