Profits fall at House of Fraser

The department store chain House of Fraser has said it is rolling out the clothing collection of Mary Portas, above, as it posted a dip in first half profits.

Following its launch in August, House of Fraser will introduce the fashion offer of Mary Portas – the self-styled "Queen of Shops", who has been appointed to lead the Government's review of the high street – to about six stores before Christmas and look to roll it out next year. John King, the chief executive of House of Fraser, said: "It has done really well."

He made his comments as the department store's underlying profits slipped by 6 per cent to £12.2m for the half year to 30 July, partly due to costs associated with it opening a new distribution centre in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.