French retail group PPR reported a positive first quarter with sales up 1.3% on a like-for-like basis to €4.1bn (£3.56bn) in the first quarter of the year.

PPR, which owns Fnac and Gucci Group, was helped by sales from emerging markets, which accounted for 34% of sales for the Gucci Group.

The group’s chairman and chief executive Francois-Henri Pinault said: “The sharp improvement in sales of all of our businesses in the first quarter provides us with a solid platform to speed up revenue growth throughout the year. Our performances are largely due to the forceful sales and marketing action plans we initiated last year.

“We are continuing to actively implement these initiatives, while maintaining stringent cost-control efforts. With all these programs in place, we should deliver a healthy progression in operating and financial performances in 2010.”

Online sales grew 14% on a like-for-like basis for the quarter and now account for 13% of total sales.

Like-for-like sales at Fnac were ahead 1.6% and up 6.1% for the Gucci Group. Home shopping arm Redcats sales dipped 0.5% with like-for-like sales at Puma down 2.7%.