British sporting goods and outdoor retailer Blacks Leisure Group reported that sales for the first 19 weeks of the companys fiscal year increased 17.5%, partially due to the addition of eight new stores. Comparable store sales increased 4.2% during the period. The company also said that its margins were up 100 basis points due to better purchasing power, currency benefits, and fewer markdowns.
Blacks operates Millets, Blacks Outdoor, Freespirit, Just Add Water and O'Neill stores. Analysts were generally upping their guidance for the retail group, stating that the diversity among the stores has been keeping sales high in spite of weather patterns that have slowed competitors.
