A Bebe boom! Shop adored by Kate defies the High St gloom

POSH maternity and babywear brand Jojo Maman Bebe has defied the gloom on the High Street and boosted sales by more than 20pc.

The London-based retailer, which counts Kate Middleton among its customers, increased revenue by £9.7m to £57.5m in the year to June 30.

Profit was up 6.8pc to more than £3.9m despite the firm shouldering the cost of opening eight stores. Web sales were the fastest-growing feature, rising 39.8pc, or £5.2m, to £18.2m.

Improving turnover has left Jojo with a healthy bank balance, with cash tripling to £6.7m. Set up as a mail order firm by founder Laura Tenison ( pictured) in 1993, it has grown to 90 stores in the past 25 years, selling its goods in 50 countries.

She dreamed up the idea for the shop following a serious car accident in France.

Tenison, who has two children, chatted to a young mother in hospital with her and decided to start selling children’s clothes via mail order.

The retailer is preparing to launch the first of four stores across the east coast of the US, with the first one due to open in the n ex t fortnight.