Boom in camping lifts Blacks sales

Boom in camping lifts Blacks sales

Booming sales of tents as holidaymakers and festival goers opt to stay in the UK gave outdoor equipment group Blacks Leisure a sales boost this month.

The firm, which operates the Blacks and Millets chains, said like-for-like sales during its key camping season of July and August were so far 6.1% ahead of last year.

With holidaymakers gearing up for the school holidays and music fans heading to festivals, the two months account for a fifth of the company's annual sales.

Chief executive Neil Gillis said camp sites were reporting bookings up 10% up this year as high fuel prices put holidaymakers off heading abroad.

He said: "Our sales rise has almost entirely been driven by camping. What we are seeing now is a lot more people taking holidays in the UK."

Despite the recent boost, Blacks Leisure's overall sales were down 5.4% during the 19 weeks to July 12. Sales for its outdoor arm dipped 2.2%, while overall performance was dragged down by its surf wear arm Freespirit and O'Neill which reported a 15.5% decrease.

The group operates 260 Millets stores, 110 Blacks shops and 58 Freespirit and O'Neill premises.

Mr Gillis said one of Blacks big selling items this summer had been a Ministry of Sound "Blackout" tent, which helps shield campers with hangovers from the sun.

He said the group was poised to benefit from further increases in outdoor sales as camping's popularity increased. "Campsites are reporting the likely booking increase for next year will be even greater than 10%," he said.

Since racking up an overall loss of £9.3 million during the year to March 1, Blacks has been undergoing a turnaround.