Interim dividend per share up 11.2% to 11.9p in line with their policy of paying one third of the previous year's total dividend as an interim dividend
Special dividend of 35.0p per share declared
First half financial highlights include:
Total sales up 14.7% to £546m
Company-managed shop like-for-like sales* up 10.5%
Underlying pre-tax profit margin of 7.5% (H1 2018: 5.4%) driven by strong sales growth and operational cost control
Underlying pre-tax profit excluding property gains** and exceptional charge*** £40.6m (H1 2018: £25.7m)
Reported pre-tax profit including property gains and exceptional charge £36.7m (H1 2018: £24.1m)
Strong cash generation supporting investment programme and enhanced returns to shareholders
