Kathmandu lifts first-half sales 9.1% with wider margins, affirms annual guidance

Kathmandu lifts first-half sales 9.1% with wider margins, affirms annual guidance
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Feb. 1 (BusinessDesk) - Kathmandu Holdings, the outdoor equipment chain that fended off a hostile takeover by Briscoe Group last year, lifted first-half profit 9.1 percent, on wider margins, and says it's on track to deliver annual profit of $30.2 million. The shares gained.  Sales rose to $195.7 million in the 26 weeks ended Jan. 31 from $179.4 million, and gross margins improved by 360 basis points, the Christchurch-based retailer said in a statement. On a constant currency basis, same-store sales were up 3.8 percent. The...