Post-Christmas and January sales provided a welcome revival for Briscoes fortunes, the company recording a 4.8% increase which boosted sales beyond $500 million, for the year to January 25.
Sales to January grew from $483.6 million a year ago, by 4.8%, to $507.1 million, with the homeware Briscoes sales up 3.2% and Rebel Sport goods up 8.31%.
Briscoes managing director, Rod Duke, said the company was satisfied with sales, margins and overall performance for the last quarter of the year, in a market which continued to be driven by aggressive promotional activity.
''Just how tough trading conditions have been is clear from recent announcements by other listed retailers,'' Mr Duke said, referencing Kathmandu and and Pumpkin Patch.
''Our trading was subdued through November and during the lead up to Christmas but it revived significantly post-Christmas and throughout January,'' he said.
Forsyth Barr broker Andrew Rooney said the 3% gain in group sales was driven by solid same-store sales growth in both its chains, with Rebel particularly strong.
Its full-year 2015 earnings guidance was in line with expectations and confirms a strong result for the company, Mr Rooney said.
''Briscoes is a strong operator, outperforming its peers.''
Mr Duke said the gross profit margin for the group continued to hold up well and will finish ''comfortably ahead'' of last year's gross profit margin percentage, for the full year.
He expected after-tax profit to be up ''at least'' 16% on last year's $33.58 million, at ''no less than'' $39 million.
Mr Duke noted online sales were up 50% up on the previous year, with ''considerable potential'' for sales growth Briscoes will report its full-year result on March 5.
