Christmas sales glitter for jeweller

Jewellery retailer Michael Hill International has reported a 4.4 per cent lift in same-store sales to $221.2 million for the half year to the end of December.

Chairman Michael Hill yesterday said improved trading conditions during the key Christmas trading period had helped lift the same-store figures.

All countries had improved same-store trading performance from the first quarter, Mr Hill said.

In North America, encouraging second-quarter trends emerged.

In Australia, same-store sales for the six months lifted 6.2 per cent to $153.3m – in local currency up 3.6 per cent to A$124.4m. In New Zealand, same-store sales were up 5.4 per cent to $51.7m, while in Canada they fell 12.6 per cent to $16.2m, or in Canadian dollars were down 4.9 per cent to C$12.5m.

- NZPA