Analysts have taken heart from Asos’s strong international performance despite UK growth slowing as the etail fashion giant introduced free returns.

For the second quarter to September 30, Asos’s sales soared 47% to £69.7m. UK sales were up 21% to £43.7m while international sales surged 128% to £26m.

The etailer, which delivers to 167 countries, launched its US site in September and French and German sites will go live this month.

Panmure analyst Jean Roche said that the cost of free returns had depressed the UK second-quarter sales rate a “high single digit” amount but sales growth had not slowed significantly when that was taken into account.

KBC Peel Hunt analyst John Stevenson said Asos was “well set for Christmas”. He said that the US, while not the most material in absolute sales terms, generated growth of 293% in the second quarter and 246% in the first half. He said the recent launch of the US-specific website was likely to drive an acceleration into the peak period.

Asos also launched its first mobile site to allow shoppers to buy products on the go this month.

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