RETAILER Topps Tiles said it was reassured of a bounce back in consumer confidence, after seeing a 5.5% hike in like-for-like revenues in the first 14 weeks of its new financial year.
But the Leicester-based group is cautious over 2010 amid an uncertain economic outlook.
Profits ahead at Galiform
JOINERY firm and kitchen supplier Galiform said annual pre-tax profits would come in “comfortably above the top end” of market forecasts.
Sales in the three months to December 26 rose 6% on a year earlier, thanks in part to three extra trading days in the Christmas week.
Signet slide
CHARM bracelets and sparklers were top of the Christmas gift list this year, but demand was not enough to prevent a slide in UK sales, the owner of H Samuel and Ernest Jones said.
Signet revealed a 0.8% fall in UK same-store sales in the nine weeks to January 2 – down further on the 0.2% fall seen in the third quarter.
Weir cheer
ENGINEER Weir said pre-tax earnings for the year to January 1 would be ahead of City hopes at around £185m. But it said it was “too early to call any significant upside to the 2010 outlook” as it has a lower forward order book.
Sales surge
TELEVISION and online shopping business Ideal Shopping Direct reported sales growth of 9.2% in the year to January 3, after an 18.5% surge in the second half.
