Argos shining star in Gus galaxy

SALES growth at high street star Argos accelerated over the fourth quarter, helping parent company GUS make a strong finish to the year.

Like-for-like sales growth at the catalogue showrooms chain rebounded to 7% over the final three months of the year as the business outperformed its rivals once again.

'It was a cracking quarter,' said finance director David Tyler. Star performers were consumer electronics, photography, furniture and homewares.

Homebase saw like-for-like sales for the five months to end-February rise by 5%, with kitchens and bathrooms doing particularly well.

At Experian, the credit checking operation, underlying sales advanced by 10% at constant exchange rates. Chairman John Peace said that thanks to the good showing from all areas, the group, which also owns a controlling stake in Burberry, will enjoy its third consecutive year of significant profits growth this year.

The £200m-plus partial float of its South African retail business remains on track for later this year.