Fat Face EBITDA flat

Fat Face sales grew by 16.3% to £126.4 million for the year to May 31 but EBITDA was broadly flat at £26.6m.

Fat Face's sales growth was driven by the opening of 12 stores over the period taking the store count to 145. Fat Face also upped its presence in John Lewis department stores to 17 outlets which boosted business. However EBITDA growth was hit by the retail slowdown.

Fat Face chief executive Lousie Barnes said: "The unseasonable
weather conditions over the past year, coupled with increasing uncertainty around the economy, is placing pressure on the amount people are spending. We have, however, seen an increase in our customer numbers across all areas of our business, including the internet and wholesale in John Lewis."

Barnes added that current trading was broadly in line with budget with sales in June 17% ahead of last year.

In the past year, Fat Face has continued to roll out its new store design and has strengthened its senior management team, with the appointment in May of finance director Shaun Wills, previously strategy director at New Look.

The fashion retailer was bought by Bridgepoint for £360 million in March 2007.