Q3 sales growth marks turnaround for French Connection

03 Dec '13

2 min read

Reversing the recent trend of weak operational performance, UK-based global fashion retailer and wholesaler French Connection posted a healthy rise in sales in the third quarter driven by good response from customers for its autumn range.

The Stephen Marks- led company witnessed a 2.1 per cent rise in sales on a like-for-like basis in the 16 weeks ended November 20, 2013 as wholesale revenue from its UK and European business was in line with the year ago period.

In the first six months of the current financial year, the company posted a 4.5 per cent decline in sales at its UK and Europe stores.

The latest results mark the beginning of a turnaround for the company, which has been saddled with losses in recent times.

Underpinned by a strong order book for spring 2014 and good customer response for its autumn collection, which features the essential mix of innerwear classic and seasonal styles, one of UK’s most well-known fashion brands may see better times ahead.

The company is also pinning its hopes on a strong sales performance in the upcoming Christmas shopping season, when demand for winter fashion tends to be at its peak.

The recent measures taken by the company to improve its operational performance have also started to reap benefits.

Under the leadership of Stephen Marks, the company has implemented significant changes across its business, which has resulted in improvement of margins, ranges and has enforced retail discipline across the UK businesses of French Connection.

A strong global brand name and presence, and the operational changes that the company is making have put French Connection in good stead, going forward.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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