Home shopping group N Brown continued to defy the downturn with pre-tax profits soaring 19.6 per cent to £40.8 million in the six months to August 30.

Group revenues also grew, up 12.6 per cent to£322.8 million for its first half. Current trading has also remained robust for the retailer with sales for the five weeks to October 4 up 11.8 per cent.
Chief executive Alan White said he was pleased with the group’s performance particularly against the fall in consumer confidence. "Our strategy to always look at means of improving our product ranges, websites and catalogues has enabled us to deliver strong growth across our portfolio of brands. We will continue to further develop our channels to market and enrich our product offer.”
He added: “The uncertain length and depth of the economic downturn still worries retailers generally, but the increase in sales for the first five weeks of 11.8 per cent, give us confidence that we can continue to deliver growth in the second half."
In light of the economic downturn N Brown said it would hold spend on recruiting new customers in its second half and tighten its costs and credit portfolio.
It said that more branded lines and new celebrity designers such as Gok Wan has continued to help it to enrich its offer to customers.

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