The owner of PC World and Currys offered some cheer from the embattled sector today as it posted a 15% hike in UK & Ireland profits after a rebound in sales.

Lingerie chain La Senza collapsed into administration today triggering 1,300 redundancies and the closure of more than 100 outlets in the UK and Ireland.

Department store chain Debenhams today said it expected to deliver a rise in annual profits, despite a revamp of its shops hitting sales.

Shoppers' growing appetite for menswear and beauty products helped spur an "improving trend" in sales, UK department store chain House of Fraser said today.