French Connection profits from ads

FRENCH CONNECTION, the fashion chain led by Stephen Marks, is continuing to enjoy a boost from its controversial f.c.u.k advertising campaign, writes Nigel Cope. The campaign has helped the company sell 100,000 T-shirts and pushed half-year profits 16 per cent higher to pounds 3.5m. Like-for-like sales were 11.2 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The group plans to open three new French Connection stores and one new Nicole Farhi outlet in the second half.

The shares were unchanged at 310p.