BusinessMountain Warehouse defies weather with record resultsLooking on the bright side: Mountain Warehouse boss Mark Neale says he has weather-proofed the businessClare Hutchison16 May 2016Outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse has defied the unpredictable weather that has plagued fellow chains and reported a fourth year of record results.A string of retailers have blamed the mild winter and the unusually cold spring that followed for lacklustre sales. But Mountain Warehouse, which is considering a stock market float, said sales rose 28.7% to £141.4 million, or 19.3% on a like-for-like basis, in the year ended in February, while pre-tax profit jumped 36% to £16.2 million.“There would have been a time when I was terrified by a hot, sunny day. But we have worked very hard to weather-proof the business,” said boss Mark Neale. That has involved stocking running, cycling and yoga gear, as well as camping furniture, he added.Current trading “remains strong” thanks in part to a new children’s range designed by the wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall.Neale said that the company had bid for “a couple of stores” belonging to collapsed menswear chain Austin Reed, in a contest he expects to be “quite competitive”.MORE ABOUTRetailresultsWeather