Bonmarché business still flagging
Value fashion retailer Peacock Group reported an increase in like-for-like sales and profits over the Christmas period in its last trading statement before going private.

Like-for-like sales at the group, which is in the process of being bought by its management, were up 6.1 per cent for the 13 weeks to December 31. Total sales increased by 12 per cent for the same period. The group's like-for-like gross profit was up 7 per cent.

Eponymous stores reported a like-for-like sales increase of 7.5 per cent, despite strong comparatives.

Bonmarché like-for-like sales were down 0.3 per cent and like-for-like gross profit was down 2.6 per cent. Bonmarché had a high level of clearance activity over the period, which affected margins.

Like-for-like sales at The Fragrance Shop rose 8.8 per cent and like-for-like gross profit was up 10.4 per cent.

Evolution analyst Nick Bubb said there is no sign yet of a recovery at Bonmarché, so 'the MBO team still has some work to do to reward their backers'.

For the 39 weeks to December 31, total group sales were up 11.1 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 4.4 per cent and like-for-like gross profit up 6.4 per cent.

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