The company, which is watched keenly by analysts for signs of consumer confidence or stress, yesterday reported unaudited sales for the six months ended July 26 of $185.3 million, an increase of 1.83% on the previous corresponding period.
The group's homeware segment experienced a drop in sales of of 0.9% in the six-month period but the sporting goods segment, which includes Rebel Sports, increased its sales by 6.17%.
On a same store basis, the group's sales for the half-year were almost 1% ahead of the corresponding period last year.
ABN Amro Craigs broker Chris Timms was heartened by the results, particularly for the second quarter of the half-year.
In the 13 weeks ending July 26, group sales were $95.1 million, up 3.73% on the previous corresponding period.
Homeware sales for the quarter increased by almost 3% to $67.3 million, while sporting goods sales increased by 5.7% to $27.8 million.
On a same store basis, homeware sales increased by 1.65% for the quarter and sporting goods sales were 5.67% ahead.
Mr Timms said the biggest thing seized on by the market in the result was the reduction in costs by the group during a period in which it increased sales and profit forecasts.
Briscoe Group, and freight forwarders like Mainfreight, were leading indicators for the economy as it emerged from the recession.
Briscoe managing director Rod Duke said he was pleased with the result for the second quarter and the resulting half-year performance which had been achieved in a retail market that continued to be highly competitive and unpredictable - particularly for the group's specialist homeware stores.
"We expect our results for the half-year will show a gross margin for the group ahead of last year, inventory in great shape and the benefits of operating efficiencies.
"These efficiencies have been generated from the cost minimisation initiatives implemented progressively since early last year as well as from the changes we have made this year to the structure of our store management."
The profit after tax for the half-year was expected to be at least $6 million compared with $3.1 million for the previous corresponding period.
