Online growth drives N Brown

13th Jan 2010 07:08

More good growth from its online operation helped mail order clothing group N Brown's sales rise handily over the Christmas period.Total revenue increased by 4.9% for the 19 weeks ended 9 January 2010 with like-for-like sales, excluding revenue from Simply Be in Germany and High & Mighty, up 3.6%. Online sales have increased by 13% and now account for 39% of the total sales, Brown added. Sales were particularly encouraging from the footwear, menswear, home and gift product ranges. The newer titles, Marisota and Jacamo, saw the fastest growth of all of its customer groups, Brown added. On the downside, gross margin in the 19 weeks was 0.3% below last year reflecting higher bad debts. Brown added that while the performance of its debtor portfolio is stabilising, it will continue to provide for bad debts at 'a higher level than last year'.'The outlook for the economy in 2010 remains uncertain but we believe our strategic position and flexible business model will enable us to continue the growth of our business,' the statement concluded.