Blacks Leisure holds firm
Group’s overall gross margin is over 2.5% ahead of the same period last year due to improved supplier terms, lower discounts, stock and financial controls and the weakness of the US dollar.
In the 19 weeks to 9 July 2005 total group sales increased by 5.2%. Like for like retail sales fell by 2% in the same period, against strong prior year comparatives in 2004 of +4.2%.
In Outdoor, Millets now trades from 270 stores and Blacks Outdoor from 93 Stores, including four Out of Town stores, and 22 Outdoors stores acquired from the Scout Association.
In Boardwear, Freespirit now operates from 37 stores, Just Add Water from 13 and O’Neill from 16. These numbers include nine new openings since the start of the year together with five conversions of the acquired Outdoors stores.
