Handmade-cosmetics retailer Lush will forge ahead with its expansion plans after posting a 30 per cent uplift in group pre-tax profits to £10.3 million.

Lush, which has 533 shops in 43 countries, delivered group sales of£144 million in the year ending June 30, 2007.

The retailer’s UK like-for-like sales rose 4.7 per cent in the first quarter of this year and online sales increased by 71 per cent. Chief executive Andrew Gerrie said: “The UK has delivered strong results for us and in this tough market, it’s a great result. We’re taking a modest outlook because of the difficult economy, but as our average spend is low, we’re probably more resilient than other retailers.”

Gerrie said there was scope to double its 88-store portfolio in the UK, but there is no fixed timetable. Lush has hired Paul Wheatley, former retail development director at The Mall, as UK property director to lead the expansion from this month.

Gerrie said: “Across the group we will open about 100 stores this year and, depending on opportunities, some of those will be in the UK.” Lush will also invest in its UK web site this year. It will expand its Retro area, which enables customers to buy products discontinued in stores.

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