Moss Bros sales rise despite fall in suit hire business

Menswear retailer Moss Bros has reported a pick-up in trading following a “difficult” start to the year, although takings from its suit hire business have fallen.

The firm said that like-for-like sales in the 18 weeks to 1 June were 0.3 per cent higher than a year ago, despite a 6.2 per cent decline in suit hire revenues.

Sales over its website, which was relaunched in January, jumped 138 per cent and now account for 3.3 per cent of total takings, up from 1.4 per cent a year ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Moss Bros is also busy revamping its 136-strong store network, with 24 outlets trading under its new format, and chief executive Brian Brick said the refurbished branches were trading ahead of the others.

He added: “Although we remain cautious about the general economic environment, we believe our strategy of refitting stores, investing in e-commerce infrastructure and focusing on our target market and customer offer will strengthen the Moss Bros brand and will maximise profitability.”

Moss Bros is due to publish its first-half results on 26 September.