MERCHANT Retail Group, owners of the Perfume Shop and Joplings stores, has come up smelling of roses in the run up to Christmas.

The group revealed that overall sales at the Perfume Shop and Joplings, were up six per cent in the six weeks to December 30.

Overall group sales for the 39 weeks to December 30, were up 12 per cent.

Joplings, which has a department store in Sunderland in direct competition with the recently opened new Debenhams store, performed well.

Chief executive Phillip Newton, said: "Joplings produced a robust performance all round, with the Sunderland store continuing to trade satisfactorily against the new Debenhams which opened in the city in September.

"The management plans and efforts over the last two years are continuing to progress within the business and we are confident of future prospects."

The Perfume Shop, which has outlets at the MetroCentre, Newcastle's Eldon Square, and Middlesbrough, delivered another successful Christmas period but there is still room for improvement, according to Mr Newton.

He said: "There is still considerable prospect and potential for this business, and we have been particularly pleased with the performance of this year's new additions."

There are currently 65 Perfume Shops trading, but there are plans to open a further five stores in 2001.

Looking ahead to the current year, Mr Newton said: "We are confident that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, current market profit expectations will be met.

"We are very happy with the progress of all divisions of the business and in particular with the management team that is developing and, more importantly, delivering.

"It is principally the people that drive a business and in that respect we are well placed."