N Brown sales continue to recover in third quarter
N Brown, the owner of Simply Be, Home Essentials, Jacamo and JD Williams, has said its product revenue has continued to recover from the sudden decline seen in its first quarter due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a third qurter trading statement, the company said group revenue fell by 8.8% in the period following respective drops of 21.9% and 13.4% in its first and second quarters.
N Brown said it experienced particularly strong demand for computing products, gaming items and white goods in the third quarter and that home and gift sales now account for 42% of the company’s product revenue compared to 32% in the prior year. There was also an increase in sales of leisurewear and nightwear, although sales of dresses, formalwear and swimwear all declined.
N Brown said it was particularly pleased with the performance of JD Williams and Home Essentials in the period.
Steve Johnson, N Brown chief executive, said: “We continue to move through the acceleration phase of our strategy; simplifying and strengthening our core brand proposition whilst improving our digital capabilities. This is generating continued momentum within the business, despite the difficult macroeconomic backdrop. We saw a continued recovery in product sales over the key Christmas period with particular strength in our home and gift proposition.
“We remain mindful of the ongoing uncertainty in the UK retail environment, but as a digital business, we look forward to building on the unique strength of the group’s brands in 2021 and beyond.”
