Online retailer N Brown makes it big

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By focusing on the otherwise ignored market for larger and taller men and women, it has seen its figures gain considerable traction.

In the half-year to August, sales are up 4% to £364 million, with profits ballooning 6% to £45 million.

That enables the company to reward shareholders with a 5% rise in the divi to 5.29p a share.

Although based in Manchester, the company's brands such as Jacamo, Simply Be and High and Mighty. are proving increasingly popular in London and the South East.

Chief executive Alan White said: "If you are a size 10 or 12 woman you can always pick up the best deal. There are relatively few retailers supplying the larger sizes. The focus on larger sizes makes the customers more loyal."

Those customers are stretched, financially, but White says they can still be persuaded to spend.
He added: "It has not been an easy time for the consumer. And we feel we are getting no favours from the economic environment, so we've had to focus on areas where we can do well."

Jacamo is the fastest growing brand, with the recruitment of Freddie Flintoff as brand ambassador proving handy.

Simply Be has moved strongly into both Germany and the US - international sales are up 173% to £4.1 million.

The shares slipped 8.1p today to 267.8. At that price the company is valued at £751 million.

Singer Capital Markets said in a note to clients: "Although competition is increasing as other retailers expand their size ranges, a variety of strategic initiatives both in the UK and overseas should still see the group deliver steady earnings growth."