Retail Week (12/01/07)
Discount outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse will roll out 50 stores over the next three years after profits beat forecasts and trebled.
Managing director Mark Neale told Retail Week he would expand the store portfolio from 33 shops to 80 by 2010.
Potential store locations include high streets and shopping centres in market towns such as Taunton, Shrewsbury and Leamington Spa.
"There is masses of growth opportunity for the company," said Neale.
"We have run out of growth in factory outlets and high street opportunities are more profitable," he added.
The retailer reported strong Christmas sales, which has helped it exceed its forecast of trebling profits to more than £1.5 million. Neale said: "We are confident that we will surpass that forecast now."
For the four weeks to December 31, like-for-like sales were up 13.9 per cent and internet sales soared 97 per cent. The uplift was led by online sales and sales of value skiwear.