Sanderson 'cautious but confident'

The firm, which supplies and designs software packages for retailers which help them monitor everything from sales to stock levels, has operations in Sheffield, Bradford and Batley.

Chairman Christopher Winn will tell shareholders at its annual meeting today that the group is cautious about the outlook despite trading being in line with expectations.

"Following a strong finish to the 2009 financial year, I am pleased to report that the group has made a good start to the current year," he said.

"Encouragingly, the launch of the new Factory Automation and Business Assurance products and services have enabled the group to win new customers. By the end of February, five months into the current financial year, the group has won more business from new customers than in the whole of the previous financial year."

New customers include haggis-maker MacSween, print firm Piroto Labelling, fashion group Aquascutum and retailer Hamleys.

"Order intake, revenues, profitability and cash generation are ahead of the previous year and in line with management's expectations for the current year," said Mr Winn.

"However, with many of the group's customers continuing to face tough trading conditions, with the impending General Election and with an uncertain economic outlook, we remain cautious but confident in our outlook for the rest of the financial year."