TM Lewin is poised to expand rapidly in the UK and overseas after notching up scorching full-year sales and earnings.

The 57-store shirt retailer plans to open as many stand-alone womenswear stores and is eyeing the Far East for its debut overseas.

It will also launch a transactional web site in October, which will include the option to buy in US and Australian dollars, as well as euro.

Chief executive Geoff Quinn said that group sales are continuing to buck the retail gloom, up 20 per cent year on year, building on a 16 per cent rise in the first 12 weeks of the new financial year to May 24.

In the full year to February 23, EBITDA rose 21 per cent to£9.1 million on sales up 14 per cent to£63 million.

The performance follows a£3 million investment in the 18 months following its£35 million management buy-out. The funds have been ploughed into overhauling processes including warehousing and distribution, the introduction of new IT systems and the relocation of its head office.

Quinn said: “Now we are coming out of the process side of it, the focus can be on growing the business.”

International stores are set to open late next year, although Quinn said it is not in talks with franchise partners at this time.

TM Lewin’s new stores will have a premium feel and integrated areas for womenswear. The trial will be a precursor to the opening of standalone womenswear stores in spring.

The retailer is building a team to create a focus for women’s businesswear, which accounts for 18 per cent of turnover. It has hired a designer to develop the offer.

TM Lewin is also on track to open 100 stores over the next four years in the UK; nine are in solicitors’ hands.

Further concessions are expected to open in House of Fraser and in other undisclosed department stores.

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