WOMEN’S clothing retailer Bonmarché, which includes stores in Bradford, Keighley and Halifax, has reported an 8.7 per cent rise in overall sales for the 52 weeks to March 28.

In a trading update, also covering the final quarter of 2014-14 trading year, the Wakefield-based company said it has been “year of contrasts” . Beth Butterwick, chief executive, said: “This has been a year of contrasts. A strong performance in the first half was supported by good summer weather.

"However the mild autumn created more difficult trading conditions in the second half of the year.”Bonmarche, which in 2012 kept its under-threat Broadway, Bradford, branch open after the business was bought out of administration , saving seven jobs, said for the 13 weeks ending March 28 2015, total sales grew by 0.9 per cent, although like-for-like sales declined by 4.7 per cent, or 3.3 per cent including online. For the 52 week period, the chain boosted online sales by 36.9 per cent and store sales grew by four per cent, meaning overall like-for-like sales were 8.7 per cent higher.

Beth Butterwick added: “Against this backdrop, we expect to report solid profit growth. During the second half of the year in particular, the loyalty of our core customers and our ability to maintain a tight control on costs have been key strengths.

“I am also pleased that through the targeted use of promotions and discounts, the terminal stock holding at the end of the year was almost as low as it was last year, despite the increase in stores.”