Growth For French Connection

Fashion retailer French Connection has reported a turnover increase by 12 per cent to £122m in six months to the end of July.

The company saw pre-tax profits increase by 33 per cent to £13.7m in a first half which saw expansion in its retail, wholesale and licensing businesses in UK and Europe, and an improvement in its North America retail business, although there were "continued difficulties" in the North America wholesale business.

Chairman Stephen Marks said in a statement: "I am very happy to report considerable growth in our business during the first half of the financial year.

"The quality and credibility of our products and strength of our brands is reflected in the outstanding growth in like-for-like retail sales achieved in the period at 11.3 per cent in UK/Europe and 6.2 per cent in North America. We are confident that the good start that we have had to the second half will continue for the remainder of the year."