Home and fashion retailer Laura Ashley (ALY) reported better than expected results for the first six months, with UK retail sales up 1.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Trading was buoyed by the home accessories division, which finance director Sean Anglim said had been the "big winner".
The division, which sells goods such as bed linen and lighting, reported a 4.3 per cent uptick in like-for-like sales, against wider market growth of below 1 per cent. Mr Anglim attributed the outperformance to getting the product range right. Decorating enjoyed a good period, too, and in fashion Mr Anglim said a focus on design, fit, quality, price and advertising was winning back customers. The overseas businesses also fared well, with sales up 14 per cent to £17.1m as the company added more stores.