Gibbons aims to post presence in China market

The company, which sells everything from rare Penny Blacks to

autographs by Marilyn Monroe, reported pre-tax profits of 4.1m in the year to December 31, up from 3.7m in the previous 12 months.

Gibbons said it was "content" with full-year performance, adding that further growth should come from the development of its website and entrance into China, which it said was "by far the most important emerging market in stamps".

Gibbons chairman Martin Bralsford said the firm was set for some "transformational changes" in 2010.

He said the company would benefit from the refurbishment of its flagship store on the Strand in London, which is due to be completed in time for May's international Festival of Stamps held in the UK capital.

Under longer-term plans, it is also developing a Mandarin language version of its website to tap into the China market.

Gibbons said China was thought to have around 50,000 philatelic associations, with 20 million stamp collectors – or about a third of the world's total.

Another plan is to launch a rare stamp investment fund later in the year.