Online move boosts Organics' sales

Strong growth in the organic weedkiller division and last year's purchase of online retailing businesses has led to a six-fold increase in first quarter sales for Certified Organics.

The Auckland-based company reported sales revenue of $852,000 for the three months to March 31, a 622 per cent increase on the same period a year earlier.

Sales at its Interceptor organic weedkiller division rose 41 per cent to $167,000, due mainly to a $150,000 shipment of Interceptor Seed Eradicator to the South Australian Government.

Certified's newly acquired New Zealand Nature online and mail order retailing business reported a 5 per cent sales increase to $685,000.

Certified bought NZ Nature from founders Ben van Dyke and Miranda Wood van Dyke in August last year for $5 million.

The move was seen as an effective backdoor listing for NZ Nature, which was the more profitable of the two companies and gave Certified more commercial viability.

NZ Nature started out selling possum fur hats, and now sells possum fur, sheepskin and merino clothing, cosmetic and alternative health products, educational toys and "kiwiana".

Certified sells pine-extract based products, including organic weed control, shampoo and hand soap.

The company said prospects for the second quarter were strong, with forward orders for about $800,000 worth of Interceptor Seed Eradicator.

NZ Nature generates about 50 per cent of its sales overseas, mainly in North America.

- NZPA