British fashion and homeware retailer Cath Kidston has reported a rise in sales after seeing increased demand in international markets.
International sales were up 20.2% to £55.3 million in the year to the end of March. It helped overall sales to rise 2.4% to £118.5m.
After opening 45 stores this year, Cath Kidston now has 205 stores, 135 of which are overseas and 123 of which sit in Asia. It said Japan is now its biggest market, after the UK.
Despite the huge increase in international sales, the retailer struggled in the UK - falling 3% during the period.
Profits fell 36% to £16m, down from £25m a year earlier, after it invested in a new distribution centre in Asia and bought 27 of its Japanese stores from its franchise partner.
It is the first set of annual results since founder Cath Kidston stepped down from her role as creative director.
Chief executive Kenny Wilson, who took over in 2011, said: "I am very excited about the coming year and our plans to grow the business even further."
