Briscoe 1H profit beats expectations, bemoans Kathmandu take-up

Briscoe 1H profit beats expectations, bemoans Kathmandu take-up
By Suze Metherell Sept. 14 (BusinessDesk) - Briscoe Group, the retail chain mounting a hostile takeover of Kathmandu Holdings, lifted first-half profit 11 percent, meeting guidance on improved margins and revealing it has picked up just 2.3 percent of the 80.1 percent of Kathmandu shares it doesn't already own. Tax-paid profit rose to $20.5 million in the six months ended July 26, up from $18.5 million a year earlier, and in line with July's forecast of at least $20 million, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Sales increased...