E-tail service launch ?imminent?
Rural supplies retailer Countrywide Farmers has posted a 75 per cent jump in profit to£1.4 million on sales of£57 million for the year to May 31.

The company, which has 40 stores, said that the dramatic increase was due to a 6 per cent rise in sales, 'sophisticated marketing initiatives' and increased customer loyalty.

Countrywide Farmers managing director John Hardman said: 'These results are most encouraging. They show that the company is successfully exploiting the potential that exists in this very exciting lifestyle market.'

The company, which is owned by 11,000 farmer shareholders, added that it would open a further three stores next year and that the launch of its new e-tail service was 'imminent'. A quarter of its 12,000 products will be made available to shoppers online.