OUTDOOR retailer Blacks Leisure said the recent Arctic weather conditions boosted its turnaround plans as consumers snapped up jackets, scarves and hats.

The cold snap helped increase like-for-like sales in its outdoor business by 10.2% in the key trading period of December, despite a strong set of comparative figures the previous year.

The company, which owns the Blacks and Millets brands, said December lifted group like-for-like sales for the half- year to the end of December to a decline of just 0.1%.

It is in talks with parties interested in buying all or parts of the business, but has insisted it will return to profit if a merger fails to go through.

As part of its turnaround, the retailer closed many of its loss-making stores – including its former Hanover Street site, in Liverpool, before re-opening earlier this year in the former Whitechapel premises of Wade-Smith – leaving it with a core estate of about 300.

It has also introduced a loyalty card and recruited a team of 19 outdoor experts to advise customers.

It has revamped 12 stores, which now account for 10% of its sales, and plans to open another outlet next month.

Chief executive Neil Gillis said: “The group has performed strongly during the key Christmas trading period, highlighting the strength of our offering in what continues to be a challenging retail market.”

The Northampton-based retailer, which made a first half pre-tax loss of £8.5m, said the strong winter performance helped offset the decline of the business in the summer.