Kathmandu widens first quarter margins as sales drop; expects higher 1H profit

Kathmandu widens first quarter margins as sales drop; expects higher 1H profit
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Nov. 21 (BusinessDesk) - Kathmandu Holdings, the outdoor equipment retailer set to hold its annual meeting on Friday, says its first-quarter earnings were up despite sales dipping as it widened margins by selling less sale stock. In the 16 weeks to Nov. 19, group sales rose 0.6 percent at constant exchange rates but dropped 1.6 percent on a same-store basis, the Christchurch-based company said without providing more detail. In Australia, its largest market, same-store sales grew 2.9 percent in the quarter while they dropped...