24/03/2006

House of Fraser reports small profits rise

Department store House of Fraser has reported a rise in annual profits and better-than-expected sales in the first seven weeks of 2006.

The department store chain said that annual profits rose by 4.6% in the year to January 28, although same-store sales dropped by nearly 4%.

However, the rate of sales decline slowed to 1.3% in the seven weeks afterwards, the firm reported.

House of Fraser CEO John Coleman said: "We previously expected trading during the first half of 2006 to be difficult, although we are pleased that the first seven weeks have been ahead of our original expectations."

Chairman Michael Wemms said: "Whilst we are encouraged by the start we have made for the year, we do anticipate that the retail market will continue to be difficult for at least the first half of 2006."

The announcement of the figures comes a week after the collapse of discussions about a possible takeover between House of Fraser and a third party - believed to be private equity firm Apax Partners.

Analysts had placed a price tag of £300 million on the firm.

House of Fraser, which also owns the Jenners and Beatties chains, has 60 stores in the UK, as well as one store in Dublin, Ireland.

(KMcA)








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