Home shopping retailer N Brown like-for-likes up 8% as womenswear recovers in warmer weather

Total group revenue increased 8% as all N Brown’s major brands, product groups and channels contributed to the top line.

Former The Original Factory Shop boss Angela Spindler joined the business as its new chief executive yesterday (Monday), succeeding Alan White who retires from the group on October 31.

The retailer reported that womenswear revenue has recovered as the weather has improved. “We continue to see strong growth from menswear and footwear,” N Brown’s chairman, Andrew Higginson, will say at the AGM later today.

Home and gift remains N Brown’s fastest-growing product category.

The Marisota and Jacamo brands have launched online in the US, building on the launches of Simply Be and Figleaves. “We continue to see exciting opportunities in this market,” Higginson will say.

“In the UK, the dual fascia Simply Be/Jacamo stores are making good progress and we will be deciding shortly whether to open any more in time for Christmas 2013.

“We have made a good start to the year and we will endeavour to keep up the momentum while recognising that our customers continue to face pressure on their disposable income. The board remains confident of a positive outcome for the year.”

N Brown is continuing to reduce the number of brochures mailed to customers as it invests more in the online channel, which now accounts for 56% of total home shopping revenue.

The Marisota, House of Bath and Julipa brands all delivered strong growth, while the JD Williams group of brands also grew “although at a more modest rate than our over 50’s brands overall”, Higginson will say.