GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS
Like-for-like sales up 4.9% at Laura Ashley
14 December, 2012 | by Retail Bulletin
Fashion and furnishings retailer Laura Ashley has reported a rise in like-for-like sales in the first 19 weeks of its second half but has warned that margins are likely to be slightly lower than last year.
In the 19 weeks to 8 December 2012, total retail sales increased by 4.2% year-on-year, with like-for-like sales rising by 4.9%.
Online sales were up 22.6% in the period boosted by the launch of a mobile shopping site. Laura Ashley said in a statement: “The introduction of a mobile site that offers the complete range of our products, and increased overseas deliveries, have both been instrumental in this growth.”
The retailer added that it had opened five new stores this year and closed three.
