Japanese lift Cath Kidston

BOOMING demand for its floral print bags in Japan helped fashion retailer Cath Kidston toast soaring sales and profits.

International sales jumped 19.5pc to £42.3m in the year to the end of March thanks to the brand’s growing popularity in Asia where customers like its quintessentially British appeal – with its bags and Disney collection selling particularly well.

The chain, which is best known for its floral print products and accessories, has grown from a small shop which opened in Holland Park in London to a fashion empire of 219 stores across more than 10 countries.

It is now looking to expand in Latin America for the first time, with new store openings in Argentina and Mexico. Chief executive Kenny Wilson said the company expanded into Latin America because more and more customers in the region were ordering clothes from its website. He said that in the long term it would be looking to take a slice of the lucrative North American market.

Overall group sales rose 8pc to £129.2m while UK sales jumped 3.3pc to £87.7m.

The company also swung into a profit of £800,000, up from a loss of £2.1m the year before. Wilson said: ‘Our growing international business helps mitigate the effects of weaker sterling and we have already made good progress in growing our international footprint even further.’ He added: ‘Today, we are reaching new customers in both the UK and overseas and we expect this momentum to continue this year with further very exciting product campaigns.’