Hallenstein looking to better last year

Clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson Holdings' first half profit could be "comfortably ahead of last year", chairman Warren Bell says. That advice was based on current sales trends, but Bell told the company's annual meeting yesterday that because the next few weeks were so critical for the result the company was unable to give an accurate first half profit projection.

The retail environment appeared to be stable, and Hallenstein Glasson had its sights set on a slow and steady climb back to turnover levels of a couple of years ago, he said.Total group sales for the period between August 2 and December 13 were tracking at an increase of 5 per cent.