Home shop group N Brown set to unveil fall

HOME shopping group N Brown is tipped to unveil a fall in half-year profits this week amid what has been described as a “transitional” year for the owner of the Jacamo and Simply Be brands.

Kelly Brook (centre) is a brand ambassador for Simply Be, part of the N Brown fashion group which is tipped to unveil first-half profits of £40.5 million. Picture: Getty

Last month the clothing retailer said sales for the six months to 30 August would be 3.2 per cent lower than a year ago after it slashed marketing investment in its catalogues.

Chief executive Angela Spindler, a former Debenhams managing director who joined N Brown last year, has said the group is pursuing a “programme of far-reaching change” to modernise its operations and help capitalise on long-term opportunities.

In July, television host Lorraine Kelly became a brand ambassador for its JD Williams business, with model Kelly Brook taking on the same role for Simply Be.

Analysts at Shore Capital have pencilled in a pre-tax profit of £40.5 million for the first half, down from £44.1m a year ago, but expect a “materially stronger” second-half.