IBTimes:
Laura Ashley said in the first 17 weeks of the financial year, total UK retail sales increased by 6.2% year-on-year (like-for-like sales increased by 5.3%).
Within this figure, online sales have grown by 74% over the period and although Mail Order sales have declined by 26%, the combined Direct Sales channel has increased by 42%.
No new stores were opened and two were closed in the UK since the last update. The group currently has 229 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The franchising and licensing network has expanded with several new agreements having been signed. There is a new South Korean franchise partner who has committed to grow the brand presence over the next five years. There are now 233 franchise stores globally in 26 countries, an increase of three stores since the year end.
