Cotton Traders Christmas sales up 31 percent
Apparel cataloguer/retailer Cotton Traders enjoyed a 31 percent jump in like-for-like sales between 1st December and Boxing Day 2009 compared with the previous year. The surge compensated for a 20 percent plummet in like-for-likes in September and October due to the unseasonably warm weather and the postal strikes. The company expects revenue for the year to 31st January to hit £70 million, an 11 percent lift from the previous year, with underlying profits of approximately £4.3 million, a 5 percent rise.

Cost reductions boost Flying Brands’ bottom line
Fourth-quarter sales from continuing operations at Flying Brands fell more than 27 percent, to £9.05 million for the 13 weeks to 1st January. But because the decline was due largely to a focus on more-profitable customers and an end to unprofitable recruitment, the company expects to exceed profit expectations for the year. Flying Brands’ titles include Flying Flowers, Gardening Direct, and Garden Bird Supplies.

Annual sales soar at Handpicked Collection
Gifts cataloguer the Handpicked Collection reported a 46 percent jump in like-for-like annual sales, exceeding expectations. What’s more, it outperformed its Christmas forecast by 27 percent. The company credits its redesigned website, ongoing SEO efforts, and expansion of its range for the uptick.

Steady sales rise at N Brown
Sales at multititle mailer N Brown Group for the 19 weeks to 9th January were up 4.9 percent from the previous year. Comparable revenue, which excludes sales from the German division of women’s fashion brand Simply Be and from men’s speciality-size apparel retailer High & Mighty, rose 3.6 percent.

Strong online growth at Tesco, House of Fraser
For the six weeks to 9th January, sales at Tesco Direct, the supermarket’s nonfood direct division, were up more than 50 percent from the previous year. Tesco’s total online sales rose nearly 20 percent, and total UK sales increased 8.3 percent. Meanwhile, online sales at House of Fraser for the eight weeks to 2nd January were up 91 percent from the comparable period of the previous year. Total sales rose 7.1 percent for the same period.

Compare and Contrast: Learning Resources
Though relatively small, educational-toys cataloguer Learning Resources was one of the first US mailers to expand into the UK, launching here in 1994. When it comes to ecommerce, however, the UK website still has a lot to learn from its US counterpart. To see what we mean, visit catalog-biz.com.