N Brown has swung back to the black in its first half despite falling sales as its digital overhaul takes effect.
The Jacamo, JD Williams and Simply Be owner posted a £200,000 pre-tax profit in the 26 weeks to 31 August, up from the £2.8m loss from the year before.
It comes despite sales falling 6.7% to £277.2m, dragged down by a 7.9% drop in product revenue which it blamed on “unseasonal weather”.
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N Brown interim executive chair and chief executive Steve Johnson said: “We have built on our return to profit in FY24 by delivering year-on-year progression in the first half of FY25.
“Our focus on maximising profitable sales and managing the cost base in a soft trading environment, has ensured we remain on track to achieve management’s full year adjusted EBITDA expectations, and we are encouraged by trading at the start of Q3.”
N Brown highlighted its successful launch of a mobile-first website for JD Williams and its new product information management (PIM) system across all three major brands, which it labelled as “fundamental” to its marketing strategy.
Johnson added: “These developments will enhance the customer experience and will be supported by strengthened marketing activity to help position the business for sustainable profitable growth.”
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