Group sales rose 3% at fashion house Burberrys in the second half of the year, helped by increased turnover in Europe and East Asia.

Retail sales were up 13% in the six months to April and these offset a decline in its wholesale operations. Retail accounted for 43% of group revenue last year.

”Consumers’ favourable response to spring merchandise, particularly womenswear, and an exciting advertising campaign contributed to the strong retail performance,” said chief executive Rose Marie Bravo.

“These are very good figures and Burberrys has its finger on the fashion pulse as usual,” commented retail analyst Debbie Harrison. “It also launched a new fragrance, Burberrys London, which has done very well, so innovation is definitely on the agenda here.”