upholstery company ScS predicted record full-year results yesterday as it announced interim results to the end of March.

The fabric and leather furniture retailer, which has 61 stores throughout the UK, including outlets in South Shields, Darlington, Sunderland, and Durham, is continuing the nationwide expansion plan that began in 1995.

ScS is opening two stores before the end of the month, in Swansea and Dundee, and another is planned for Farnborough, in August, bringing its total number to 64.

The retailer saw turnover rise to £73.9m, up 19 per cent, and profit before tax was up 22 per cent to £7.2m.

During the first half, ScS opened four stores in Newport, Glasgow, Bradford and Glasgow Fort, continuing its strategy of having regional clusters of outlets served by a central distribution centre.

Chief executive David Knight said the company had clusters of stores in each regional television area, making advertising simpler.

Distribution costs also fell as more stores opened in each area, making each distribution centre more efficient.

Some distribution centres have yet to reach capacity, and Mr Knight said the group planned to continue with retail expansion, opening between six and eight stores a year.

Chairman Mike Browne said: "We are delighted with these results and believe they clearly demonstrate the strength of ScS, our business formula and employees.

"Continued opportunities for expansion, together with benefits from increased critical mass across the branch network, means that we are well placed to build upon this success."

ScS saw its full-year profits fall last year after a pricing review of its Guardsman products led to a leather-care kit being wrongly priced.