However, the UK results reflect what the company describes as 'very difficult trading conditions', with sales down 7.8 per cent and an operational loss of£2.4 million for the half year.
Like-for-like sales at H Samuel fell 8.4 per cent and 7.1 per cent at Ernest Jones. Total sales fell 7.1 per cent to£183.3 million, compared with£197.3 million in the same period last year. This resulted in an operating loss of£2.4 million, compared with a profit of£6 million for the same period last year.
Signet chief executive Terry Burman said that while the average UK selling price had increased by about 4 per cent, the number of transactions had dropped by an amount 'in the high single digits'.
'The overall strategy of increasing diamond sales and investing in staff training continues to be effective,' said Burman. 'But we have been affected by a drop in traffic coming into our stores.'
However, he remained upbeat about the future, saying: 'It's a good business that will benefit greatly when consumers return, but it's being challenged by the current environment. We believe we are still performing at least as well, if not better, than our competitors.'
Signet Group capital expenditure will increase to£85 million for the financial year, up from£70 million in 2004/2005.
In the US, the group achieved 'significant outperformance', describing progress at US fascia Jared as 'excellent'. Signet is targeting a 9 per cent space increase for the year.
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