Home shop group N Brown set to unveil fall

Kelly Brook (centre) is a brand ambassador for Simply Be, part of the N Brown fashion group which is tipped to unveil first-half profits of £40.5 million. Picture: Getty

HOME shopping group N Brown is tipped to unveil a fall in half-year profits this week amid what has been described as a “transitional” year for the owner of the Jacamo and Simply Be brands.

Last month the clothing retailer said sales for the six months to 30 August would be 3.2 per cent lower than a year ago after it slashed marketing investment in its catalogues.

Chief executive Angela Spindler, a former Debenhams managing director who joined N Brown last year, has said the group is pursuing a “programme of far-reaching change” to modernise its operations and help capitalise on long-term opportunities.

In July, television host Lorraine Kelly became a brand ambassador for its JD Williams business, with model Kelly Brook taking on the same role for Simply Be.

Analysts at Shore Capital have pencilled in a pre-tax profit of £40.5 million for the first half, down from £44.1m a year ago, but expect a “materially stronger” second-half.