Ottakar’s trading on steady course
Book retailer sees sale building
Ottakar’s has seen total sales for the 23 weeks to July 10 increase by 19.9 per cent as it sees the benefits of its store expansion programme.
Total like-for-like sales for the 120-plus store retailer increased by 4.1 per cent. The 25 stores acquired from Hammicks last showed growth in comparable space of 3.2 per cent over the 23 weeks to July 10.
The specialist book retailer, which last year opened five new stores of its own, and refurbished and relocated others, said it would give details of current plans for store openings in interim results announcement in September.
Chairman Philip Dunne said: “Sales and gross margin have been satisfactory so far this year. It is too early to anticipate the outcome of our full year, which will, as ever, be dependent on the crucial Christmas trading period.”
