Simply Be and Jacamo store group to close sites

Plus-size retailer N Brown is to close up to five lossmaking stores as it grapples with business rates hikes and lower high street footfall.

The company said the decision to shut up to five Simply Be and Jacamo outlets takes into account “weak high street footfall, both current and predicted, together with significant future business rate increases for some stores”. N Brown made the announcement alongside a trading update, which showed first-quarter sales rose 5.6 per cent, driven by a strong ladieswear performance.

Online revenue accounted for 71 per cent of total sales, up 4 percentage points year-on-year.

Chief executive Angela Spindler said: “As a result of ongoing weak footfall in some locations, and with a clear focus on driving financial returns across all areas of our business, we will be closing up to five loss-making stores.

“Although the outlook for consumer confidence remains uncertain, our offering is resonating with customers.”