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Bertrams had "good trading" over the Christmas period, according to an interim management statement from parent company Smiths News.
For the 19 weeks from 19th September to 9th January, Smiths News sales increased by 52.1%, which included the acquisition of Bertrams in March 2009. On a like for like basis, sales fell by 2.1%, which Smiths News said "compares favourably with the trends experienced in the preceding
year and indicates an underlying improvement in the market, particularly in magazines".
The statement did not strip out individual sales performance for Bertrams, but said: "Bertrams has made excellent progress under the Group's ownership and reported good trading over the Christmas period together with strong sales to overseas customers."
At its annual general meeting this morning, Smiths News c.e.o. Mark Cashmore will say: "Whilst economic conditions in the UK remain challenging, the group continues to make significant progress across a number of key business objectives. As a result, the board remains confident about current trading prospects and expects a year of growth."