Waterproofs keep Blacks in profit

WATERPROOFS have been flying off the shelves in the past few weeks at camping and boardwear group Blacks Leisure, which owns the Millets chain.

Sales of boardwear and lightweight summer clothing have, not surprisingly, been sluggish but thanks to the waterproof boom, Blacks has made a good start to its current financial year, says chief executive Roy Crosland.

Like-for-like sales were ahead by 5.3% in the eight weeks to 24 April. Profits for the year to end-February jumped by 26% to £17.9m pre-tax, on sales ahead by 17%, or 6.4% like-forlike, to £255.5m.

Crosland said the group is reaping the rewards of its decision to concentrate on outdoorwear and boardwear and is confident of further progress this year.

The dividend total is bring increased by 13% to 8p.