Laura Ashley has reported a 14.9% hike in profits for the six months to July 26th, with total group sales rising 4.9%.

The group added that trading for the five weeks to August 30th was up 8% on a like-for-like basis, taking the cumulative like-for-like performance for the year to +2.3%.

Commenting on the results, Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Peng, chairman, said: "In what continues to be an extremely competitive sector, we are pleased to report an increase in profit before taxation of 14.9% and sales growth of 4.9% over the first half compared to the same period last year.

“We are particularly pleased with growth of 13.6% in our international business and with the improved performance of our e-commerce business.  We are very proud of the second Laura Ashley hotel, The Belsfield, which was launched at the end of July 2014 to both customer and media acclaim.

“We look forward to the rest of this year with confidence in the strength of our brand, in the quality of our products and in the loyalty of our many customers.  We will continue to develop our international presence as well as focusing on our UK retail business with continued enhancement of our website, for both our domestic and international customers, and improvements to our store portfolio."