Suits boost to Moss Bros sales

29th May 2009 07:39

Good demand for suits has boosted sales at menswear chain Moss Bros over the past ten weeks, though it expects the "very challenging current trading environment" to continue through the remainder of the year.Refelecting that, like for like sales for the 16 weeks to 23 May fell by 3.9%, with total sales down by 2.3%.Chief executive Brian Brick added that recent sales have been continually improving with like for like sales behind 2% for the last 10 weeks.Retail gross margin is 50 basis points ahead of last year leaving that year to date total gross profit down by 1.4%."Our core competency of suit selling remains very strong (suit units ahead 27%) with our position as the UK's No.1 branded suit specialist in no doubt," Brick added.