Findel like-for-like sales down 5 percent
Multititle mailer Findel reported a 5-percent decline in like-for-like sales for the first 23 weeks of the fiscal year, as the company focuses on reducing debt rather than increasing revenue. The home shopping division, which includes the Ace and Studio catalogues, enjoyed “an encouraging increase in average order value”, according to a statement. But the educational supplies group, which includes NES Arnold and Hope Education, “continues to experience difficult trading conditions caused predominately by uncertainty over public sector funding”. Findel did not break out results for its healthcare unit, which supports rumours that it is looking to sell the division.

Online sales soar for Shop Direct
Sales at Shop Direct Group rose 7.4 percent, to £1.7 billion in the year ended 30th April. Online sales for the parent company of Littlewoods, Woolworths, and Very.co.uk rose 31 percent and now account for 49 percent of total sales. Trading in the first 20 weeks of the current financial year was up just 1 percent against the same period last year, but online sales grew 29 percent to represent 56 percent of total sales.

Double-digit profit drop for John Lewis
Gross sales at department store retailer John Lewis were £1.21 billion for the half-year to 1st August, down 2.9 percent from the same period of last year. Operating profit fell a more significant 49 percent, to £20.9 million, but the company said that was “significantly better than expected” and due in part to a £3.4 million investment in “change and growth initiatives”. Sales for the direct division rose 11.6 percent, to £151.5 million. 

Oka grows sales, cuts loss
Home decor cataloguer/retailer Oka increased its turnover by 18.8 percent in 2008, to £14.6 million. It also reduced losses from £1.3m in 2007 to £409,841.

Ideal Shopping looks to return to profitability
For the 26 weeks to 28th June, TV-shopping and ecommerce company Ideal Shopping Direct reported that sales were broadly flat at £47.4 million. Loss before tax also remained flat, at £1.2 million. Underlying loss from operations was reduced, however, to £900,000 from £1.2 million in 2008. The company says it’s optimistic that it can return to profitability after addressing the “poor customer experience” shoppers previously had with the company. It is now focusing on improving the product range and its marketing and “vigorously pursuing a true multichannel sales offering”.

IDS preps US debut
International Dance Supplies (IDS) is jetting across the Atlantic with the launch of a 16-page accessories catalogue for the US market. It will mail 11,000 copies next month as well as launch a Stateside website. The company, which caters to dance instructors and schools, has no plans to mail its full-range, 244-page catalogue to the States anytime soon, however.

Get your comparison-shopping strategy ready for Christmas
Comparison-shopping engines really come into their own during the Christmas season, as consumers flock to them to simplify gift buying. To make sure that you reap the maximum website traffic and sales from comparison sites this season, read the advice at catalog-biz.com.

Coming up in Catalogue e-business

• October issue: special focus on marketing 2.0—mobile, social media, video, and more
• November issue: special focus on forecasting and merchandising PLUS a review of postal and carrier options