Sofa specialist continues expansion drive
Profits are up 10 per cent at furniture retailer ScS Upholstery, interim results have revealed, and like-for-like sales rose 3 per cent in the first 32 weeks of the current financial year.

Profit before tax was£10.3 million compared with£9.4 million for the same period last year.

Total sales for the first 26 weeks of the year were up 19 per cent and 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis, excluding the effect of a late Easter.

The furniture retailer is undergoing 'the largest expansion in a single reporting period in the group's history'. Thirteen stores have opened so far this year and a further seven are planned for the second half, bringing the total to 86. Next year's expansion rate is expected to be more in line with that of previous years.

Chairman Mike Browne said: 'The continued difficult retail trading environment combined with the distraction of the World Cup in June and July this year makes the second half-year challenging. This is, nevertheless, an excellent start to the financial year and reflects our focus as a specialist sofa retailer.'