Burberry has profits in the bag

Fashion house Burberry has reported a 50 per cent profits surge driven by sales of leather handbags and its relaunched menswear business.

The iconic brand, famous for its red, black and camel tartan design, said its push for sales of non-apparel items – such as handbags, jewellery, and shoes – was paying off, with revenues in the category up 26 per cent in the first half of its financial year.

Burberry said its relaunched menswear business saw sales lift 17 per cent in the six months to September 30.

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The luxury clothing company, which has operations in Castleford and Keighley, saw pre-tax profits leap to 118m in the first half, from 78.4m last year.

The group said revenues were up 21 per cent at 641m.

Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts said the group was confident it could sustain its growth.

Burberry said sales in emerging markets – including China, India and Brazil – were up 46 per cent and now account for 13 per cent of total sales, up from 11 per cent last year.

The company bolstered its operations in China in July, by buying out its franchise partner in the country for 70m.