Luxury fashion retailer Burberry experienced a total underlying sales rise of 8% to £883m in its first half to September 30 despite a slowdown in the UK and China.
Underlying retail revenue climbed 10% to £577m, while comparable store sales were up 3%.
The brand said that it countered lower footfall in the second quarter with “higher quality sales and average spend”.
Burberry said sales in Hong Kong, France and Germany were “robust” while in the UK and China trade slowed in the second quarter. Korea and Italy “remained weak”.
Burberry said it is making an “ongoing investment in retail”, with 13 stores opened in the period, including flagships in Milan, Rome, Hong Kong and Regent Street, London. The retailer also closed seven stores in the first half.
In the second half, average retail selling space is expected to increase by about 14% as the retailer opens in cities including Chicago, Shanghai and Knightsbridge, London, where it will open a standalone menswear store. It will also open in Brazil, Mexico and the Middle East.
Full year capital expenditure plans remain unchanged at £180-£200m.
Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: “Against record prior year comparatives, Burberry delivered 8% total revenue growth and 10% retail growth in the first half, albeit slowing in the second quarter. In a more challenging external environment, footfall declined but brand momentum remained strong, particularly with our higher spending luxury consumer.
“Our highly experienced team remains very focused on the consistent execution of our key strategies, engaging consumers through innovative retail and digital marketing initiatives as we enter the most important quarter of the year. We continue to invest for long term growth in flagship and emerging markets, while tightly controlling discretionary spend.”
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