Walker Greenbank benefits from rush to improve homes

The owner of wallpaper brands Sanderson and Harlequin reported record autumn sales and profits as more people look to improve their homes. Walker Greenbank, which also owns the fabric and wallpaper brands Morris & Co and Zoffany, predicted that pre-tax profits for the year to January would be ahead of market forecasts following the strong season.

The group said mid-market products such as Sanderson's Vintage wallpaper collection, launched this year, had been particularly successful.

The company expects to be nearly debt-free by the end of 2010 and expects profitability and investment to be sustained.