N Brown in menswear push

Home shopping giant N Brown plans to double its menswear sales to more than £50 million in the next three years, after sales for the category jumped 24% for the six months to August 30.

In its interim results this week, the retailer defied the economic gloom by posting a 19.6% pre-tax profit rise to £40.8m for the period. Sales leaped 12.6% to £322.8m, boosted by an increase in shoppers and spend per customer.

The group said menswear sales were "exceptional", due to an impressive second season for its plus-size menswear business Jacamo, and the success of brands such as Premier Man and Southbay. Menswear accounts for about 8% of N Brown's sales.

Group chief executive Alan White said: "We have increased the Jacamo catalogue from 84 to 124 pages for this autumn, and our advertising campaigns will continue to target men."

He said group marketing spend in the first half rose 17%, with TV ad spend up by between 25% and 30%.

N Brown is also investing £1m in the launch of a German catalogue and website next year. White said: "The potential for international is huge."
The retailer will also open its UK website to international customers. N Brown's online sales grew by 45% to £106m in the first half.