Skopes looks to China as sales buck gloom

The Leeds-based group, whose clients include Harrods, Jaeger, and High and Mighty, reported a 31 per cent increase in turnover to £5m in the first half of 2011.

The group invested in an extra £2.75m of stock at the end of 2010.

Simon Cope, managing director at Skopes, said: “We’re delighted with the financial results so far this year. We are constantly working hard with our customers to provide the best service for them.

“Skopes has lots of projects in the pipeline for the remainder of 2011 to maintain our key objective of growth for the company.”

There are three core divisions in the business; corporate wear, retail and wholesale. Mr Cope said all three divisions have performed well and contributed to the increased turnover.

“Skopes works hard with its customers and form strategic partnerships allowing the company to deliver unrivalled services – a key contributing factor to the company’s success,” said Mr Cope.

Skopes is planning to double its business in the next three years, helped by the export of expensive suits to China.

Suits with 24 carat gold and platinum woven into the pinstripe are already being sold to Chinese businessmen for £10,000 and the firm is inventing new luxurious fabrics, including material woven with ground precious gems, to add to the collection.

Mr Cope said: “The opportunities in China are mind blowingly huge. The number of millionaires and billionaires is breathtaking.

“If you’ve got a brand in the UK and you can show you have foundations, the Chinese will love you. They want to buy into western brands but they have got to know there is a foundation there.”

Skopes is planning to increase its export business from 10 per cent to 40 per cent.