House of Fraser sales lifted by demand for own label brands
DEPARTMENT store chain House of Fraser saw same store sales rise two per cent in the first three months of the year, as customers snapped up its own-label brands.
House labels, including Linea and Kenneth Cole, jumped eight per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 April while branded and concessions sales both rose by one per cent.
Online sales leapt 20.2 per cent, accounting for 15 per cent of sales.
The group said the £3.4m loss reported in the period was “in line with management expectations” and that a loss was normal in the first quarter as the period with the lowest sales activity.
Nanjing Xinjiekou department stores agreed to buy an 89 per cent stake in House of Fraser earlier this, in a £480m deal which is expected to formally complete this summer.
Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley owns the rest.