Sales in both New Zealand and Australia had contributed to yesterday's surprise announcement, which outlined first-half sales between August and January were up 6.7% on the same period a year ago and the December and January sales were up 10.7% on the previous period.
Hallenstein shares had, for the past 11 months, steadily climbed from below $2 to trade above $3.20 during January.
Following yesterday's news, the shares jumped 9.2% to trade around $3.55 on the opening price, but on light volumes and with few sellers in the market.
The Hallenstein news was in contrast to that earlier this week of the Smiths City Group, whose half-year result was a loss of more than $40,000, on the back of a slump in whiteware and furniture sales.
Bellwether retailer The Warehouse declared three weeks ago an expected boost to Christmas sales did not materialise and its half-year profit was expected to be flat and similar to last year's $56.8 million.
Hallensteins' chairman of directors, Warren Bell, said the company's after tax-profit for the full six months to the end of February 2010 was expected to be in the range of $8.1 million to $8.4 million, a 50% increase on the previous year.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Peter McIntyre said several elements of Hallensteins business operations had contributed to its "surprise" result; clothing being a single product mix, holding the right level of inventory and having made good purchase and supply decisions.
"The key period for Hallensteins is the December-January period when it bettered last year's sales by more than 10%. It carries less of a mix of stock lines than The Warehouse," Mr McIntyre said.
Mr Bell said the sales results in New Zealand and Australia were similar and the company experienced consistent demand from our customers during the key trading period.
"We have been able to protect and grow our margin.
Strong trading over this period has ensured our stocks are at very good levels, and we are well positioned to tackle the new winter season," Mr Bell said in a statement yesterday.
He declared an interim dividend of 14c per share, up 40% on last year's 10c dividend, which would be paid on March 26.
