Specialist greeting card retailer Clinton Cards PLC, has today delivered a statement on its trading performance for the Christmas period to 1 January 2012, reporting positive like-for-like sales.
Sales at the 630 Clinton’s stores rose by 0.8 per cent during the five week period and by 1.4 per cent in the 22 weeks to 1 January. At Birthdays, which trades from 141 stores, sales rose 2.7 per cent in the five week period and by 1.8 per cent in the 22 weeks to 1 January 2012.
The total performance for the group was a modest 0.4 per cent rise in the 5 weeks to January 1 and a 1.4 per cent rise in the 22 week period. Investors liked the news and shares in the company were up more than six per cent in early deals.
New chief executive Darcy Willson-Rymer, who took up the role in October 2011, has begun a strategic review due for completion in the second quarter of 2012. Within the review, the customer experience, the store portfolio, business efficiency, and the digital offering, are all being examined.
Willson-Rymer commented: “Since I joined Clintons, we have had a single-minded focus on the customer. Our Christmas trading update recognises the positive impact of this approach. Going forward, there is clearly more work to be done and I am looking at this within my strategic review. Despite a tough retail climate, we remain in line with the Board’s expectations.”
