Sales running hot for Briscoes and Rebel

Housewares and sporting goods retailer Briscoe Group is thanking splendid summer weather for a boost in sales over the Christmas period.

Sales for the fourth quarter to January 31 were $116 million, a 7.4 per cent increase over the same period last year.

"The most outstanding feature of the Christmas season was the typical New Zealand summer," said Rod Duke, managing director.

"It's something this country hasn't experienced for the last three years.

"Hot and sunny means a predictable season."

With sales in line with expectations, Duke said, the group was set to deliver a "significantly improved profit performance" when it reported its full-year audited results on March 17.

Annual after-tax profit is forecast to meet analysts' expectations of between $23 million and $25 million.

Last year's net profit was $19 million.

Quarterly sales at its Briscoes Homeware stores were up nearly 6 per cent to $78.4 million year over year.

Rebel Sport sales increased more than 11 per cent to $37.6 million in the period.

On a same-store basis - or stores open more than a year - group sales for the quarter were up more than 3 per cent compared with a year earlier.

Within the quarter, the Auckland-based company added two new stores to its chains.

Briscoes Homeware stores now number 37 with the new Auckland store.

There are now 21 Rebel Sport stores with the new addition in Gisborne.