Perfume Shop performs sweetly for Marchant

MERCHANT Retail Group, which owns the Perfume Shop, yesterday unveiled a 54 per cent rise in pre-tax profits as turnover jumped 37 per cent, producing record results.

An ambitious programme saw the Perfume Shop, a specialist perfumery chain, open new stores in Manchester, Middlesbrough and Romford, taking its number of stores to 38. The company plans to open another 10 stores this financial year, including stores at Bristol and Trafford Park.

Merchant said that it was looking to build the Perfume Shop nationally while expanding its department stores group, Joplings, regionally. Joplings currently operates six stores, five in the North-east and one in the Midlands.