French Connection on path back to glory days

The company, which a decade ago enjoyed a boom in popularity thanks to the FCUK logo, reported that like-for-like sales returned to growth in the second half of its financial year.

French Connection has closed loss-making stores, revamped its remaining sites, and overhauled its male and female clothing ranges with a new design team.

Stephen Marks, chief executive and chairman, said the company has “accomplished a great deal in the past year”.

Like-for-likes sales increased 1.4pc in the UK and Europe in the second half of the year to the end of January, compared to a 4.5pc slump in the first six months. This meant that like-for-like sales for the year declined by 1.4pc, a far smaller drop than the 7pc reported last year.

Pre-tax losses almost halved from £10.5m to £6.1m, which includes the cost of closing nine loss-making stores.

Mr Marks said: “Overall, there has been significant positive change across the business during the year.

“We have felt the benefit of the new team who have now been in place for over a year and have made considerable impact across many areas. More recently we have been pleased with the reception to our spring range.

“We have accomplished a great deal in the past year and will build on that momentum to deliver further improvements.

“There is still much to do and I am confident that we are on the right path and have the right strategy to drive further progress."

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