British luxury brand Burberry’s like-for-like retail sales jumped 12% over the last six months with the UK market helping drive growth.

For the six months to March 31 total revenue grew by 18% to £1.03bn.

Retail revenue grew by an underlying 23% to £743m with retail now making up 72% of group revenue. Sales in the luxury retailer’s core UK, France and Greater China markets experienced strong growth.

Wholesale revenue grew by 7% to £230m.

During the period Burberry opened 11 mainline stores and closed six taking its total number of retail stores to 192. The company also has 208 concessions, 44 outlets and 57 franchise stores.

Over its next financial year, to 31 March 2013, Burberry plans a 12-14% increase in average retail selling space. The brand will focus on opening larger flagship stores and expects to open around 15 mainline stores including a new Regent Street store, scheduled to open in the summer.

Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: “While we remain vigilant about the external environment, our global teams continue to focus on optimising our core brand, digital and cultural initiatives, while investing to drive sustainable, profitable growth.”

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