Web sales success helps Bonmarche

SALES at Bonmarche have climbed after being boosted by a surge in online demand.

In its first half results for 2017, the women’s value retailer reported that sales in its shops increased just 1.6pc to £99.3m, in contrast to online orders which soared by 39pc to £10.5m. Overall, combined sales grew 4.3pc to £117.3m.

Bonmarche said the sales boost had been driven by a better customer experience and improved products. Pre-tax profit leapt to £4.2m from £2m a year earlier. Overall product gross margin remained flat on last year.

The results contrast with dismal data for the UK retail sector released earlier this month that saw non-food sales in October grow at the slowest pace on record at 0.2pc. Bonmarche has grown market share despite a ‘difficult trading environment’.

Chief executive Helen Connolly said: ‘I do not expect the clothing market to become any less challenging in the near future, and therefore remain focused on continuing to grow by profitably gaining market share.’