Moss encouraged by refurbished stores

Menswear retailer Moss Bros today said its new-look stores were producing good returns after it delivered half-year results in line with expectations.

The group said like-for-like sales rose 3% in the six months to July 28, with 32 sites so far subject to refurbishment achieving an average uplift of 6%.

Margins also improved on the back of supply chain work and tighter control of stock, as Moss met City expectations with half-year losses of £800,000 (€1.14m). It recorded underlying profits of £300,000 (€429,000) a year earlier.

As well as menswear through the Moss fascia, the group also trades through the Savoy Taylors Guild and Cecil Gee fascias. It has 154 stores in total.

Moss said the first eight weeks of the second half, when it makes most of its money, showed a 0.8% rise in like-for-like sales. It said trading had been mixed, largely because of the impact of unseasonable weather on its hire business.

However, it added the early response to its new autumn and winter ranges had been strong.