Moss Bros’ luck changes as more suits are hired in 2014 for weddings
MENSWEAR chain Moss Bros said couples too nervous to get married in “unlucky” 2013 were rushing back to the altar this spring helping hire sales recover.
Chief executive Brian Brick said wedding suit hires slumped 9.5 per cent in the year to January 25 but were down 1.2 per cent so far this year.
“It was a difficult period and may have been due, in part, to the ‘2013’ effect of customers avoiding an unlucky year,” said Brick.
“Since March we have seen an upturn in bookings.” Moss Bros, with 133 stores, saw profit rise to £4.4million from £3.1million on sales up 4.2 per cent to £122.2million. It was helped by demand for school proms outfits and surging online demand via smartphones.
Brick said it was targeting 20 new stores on the UK high street. “Unlike many retailers who are reducing their high street presence we see stores underpinning our click and collect strategy,” he said.
The shares rose 5p to 105p.