Life and style retail group N Brown, owner of Figleaves, Simply Be, House Of Bath and JD Williams, has reported a 6 per cent rise in pre-tax profits.
The company's revenues improved by 4 per cent to £364m in the six months up to August, with like-for-like earnings up by 1.5 per cent.
Online sales now accounting for 48 per cent of all shopping revenue, after rising by 17 per cent.
"The outcome for the half will be determined by customers' attitude to Christmas shopping for both clothes and gifts, and also the year on year weather patterns," said N Brown chairman Lord Alliance.
"We have taken action in the first half to reduce our overheads, and these savings will be evident in the second half of the year."
He added: "The investments we have made in 2011 will leave the business well-placed for 2012 and beyond when economic conditions are more favourable."
