N Brown in Amazon Fashion link-up

PLUS-SIZE RETAILER N Brown has clinched a partnership with Amazon Fashion as it charges on with digital turnaround plans, despite booking a first-half loss.

The company reported a 5.6 per cent jump in group revenue to £453.4m in the 26 weeks to September 2, helped by a 14 per cent rise in online revenues.

Digital sales accounted for 72 per cent of revenue during the first half of the financial year, while 76 per cent of online traffic came from mobile shopping.

N Brown also cheered “significant” share gains in ladieswear, with its Simply Be brand alone experiencing double digital revenue growth.

But it was not enough to save the company from the effects of the Brexit-hit pound, which pushed it to a loss of £27.6m compared with a profit of £21.1m during the same period a year earlier.

Chief executive Angela Spindler said: “I am very pleased to report continued good trading in the half, with Simply Be the standout performer, recording 21 per cent growth.

“We made significant ladieswear market share gains against what remains a subdued consumer backdrop. In line with other retailers, FX rates represent a headwind and this was particularly felt this half.”

It has not stopped the company charging ahead with a digital strategy, as it unveiled a string of new online partnerships.