GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS
Laura Ashley expects profit ahead of forecast
16 January, 2007 | by Retail Bulletin
Store realignment programme gains momentum.
The Company has reported that for the 50 weeks to 13 January 2007, total UK retail sales were up 12.5 per cent and like-for-like sales were up by 8.7per cent. Trading improved in the second half of last year, with growth in all of its product categories: Home Accessories, Decorating, Furniture and Fashion. The Board expects the Group normalised trading profit for the full year ending 27 January 2007 to be approximately 10% ahead of the consensus of brokers’ forecasts
