One in four of New Look‘s online sales is now collected in-store, the fashion retailer said today.
The company said online sales rose by 78.8% in the first half of its financial year, with sales from its own website up by 52.9%. Click and collect, it said, now accounts for 25% of sales.
Anders Kristiansen, chief executive, said: “Ecommerce continues to power ahead. The improved functionality of our site and enhanced delivery options have been well received by customers and we are continuing to invest in this very important part of our business.”
New Look said group revenue rose by 6% to £753.2m in the 26 weeks to September 28, while like-for-like sales were up by 1.9%. UK sales were up by 5% at £579.4m; like-for-like sales in the market rose by 2.6%. Pre-tax profits moved into the black at £13.8m, from a loss of £13.6m at the same time last year. The company said growing sales, and a reduction in discounts coupled with cost saving was driving the improvement in profits.
The company is also set to move into China, with six stores set to open during 2014. Closer to home, 199 stores have now been refurbished.
Kristiansen added: “Internationally the opportunity is huge. We are doing our due diligence carefully but we are on track to open our first Chinese store by Spring 2014. In line with the rest of the sector, current trading is more challenging and as yet we are not seeing any benefits of economic recovery feed through to our customers’ pockets.
“However we are confident that the strength of New Look’s offer, namely our product, our website, our stores and our people means we are well placed for the busy Christmas trading period and beyond.”
New Look is the UK’s second value retailer for women’s clothing and accessories in the UK and number one for under 39s. It trades from 1,100 stores in 32 countries.
