ETHICAL retailer Body Shop International yesterday posted a 140 per cent rise in half-year profits to £10.1m, but said UK sales had been slow.
The group said strong contributions from its Americas region drove the rise in pre-exceptional operating profits in the 26 weeks to August 30.
Efficiency savings and a good performance from Body Shop at Home, which allows customers to stage cosmetics parties in their homes with a consultant, also helped, the group said.
But that was offset by poor trading in the UK and Ireland, where retail sales were eight per cent lower than the same period last year, with like-for-like sales down nine per cent.
Body Shop said it was continuing with changes to the UK operation including a merchandising facelift and customer service training for staff.
Chief executive Peter Saunders said the group was well prepared for the critical Christmas season, but said that there remained "pockets of weakness in many economies and in some of our operations"
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