Growth For Accessories Chain Claire's

Claire's Stores has reported a 'very strong' February in its UK stores as the sales recovery programme initiated last year continues to bite. In the four weeks to February 26, the US-based accessories retailer reported overall comparable store sales of six per cent, with total group sales up seven per cent to $88.1m.

By division, Claire's North America and the Icing by Claire's clothing chain both saw positive mid single digit growth. The Claire's International business, where the group has revamped its operations to bring the store offer more closely in line with the US operation after a sluggish sales period last year, also saw positive mid single digit growth. Bonnie Schaefer, co-chairman and co-CEO said: "Our international business performed well in February, although our results varied significantly in different regions. The United Kingdom continued to deliver very strong results, with our work there producing a dramatic turnaround more quickly than we anticipated a year ago.

"Our stores in Switzerland, Austria and Germany are continuing last year's trend by generating robust sales. The performance of our stores in France was not as strong as we had hoped. The process of exporting our North American best practices to that country remains a primary focal point of our efforts in Europe. We remain confident that France will follow in the path of our other international stores and begin to deliver sustained improvements."

Marla Schaefer, co-chairman and co-CEO of Claire's Stores said: "Last year in North America both Claire's and Icing by Claire's generated comparable store sales increases in excess of 20 per cent. This was a truly daunting number to go up against, and we are pleased that despite that, our comparable store sales increased in the mid single digits this month. "Our decision to mark down merchandise in January left our stores looking clean and fresh and customers are reacting positively to our spring merchandise."