Moss Bros to launch first overseas websites in Australia, Sweden and Denmark

The formal menswear retailer said it wants to boost its online presence by launching country-specific local currency websites.

Moss Bros chief executive Brian Brick said: “At the moment 4.4% of our turnover comes from ecommerce so we’re a bit behind other retailers so to a certain extent it’s a bit about catching up. We can accelerate this with the new websites.”

Brick said more overseas website launches are planned for next year.

Moss Bros today revealed online sales had rocketed 164% in its half year to July 27 after it relaunched its site at the beginning of the year.

Brick said the retailer has chosen the initial country website launches because the demand for Moss Bros product is there.

“We know we can do good business,” he added.

He said that if the launches were successful there could be potential to open stores in those countries.

Moss Bros is set to launch its delayed Hire website by the end of the September, which then turns transactional in November. Brick said: “Building it has been very complex.”

In addition Moss Bros is set to convert its stores back to the Moss Bros branding, after consumer research found that it was the preferred brand over the Moss brand, which the retailer has introduced in recent years to cater for a younger customer.

The research will also be used to support a review of its own brand labels.

Moss Bros pre-tax profit was flat in the half-year at £2.2m, while revenue jumped 1.2% to £104.6m.