Moss Bros cashes in as teenagers go to the ball

Teenagers splashing out on a suit for their school prom helped Moss Bros deliver a sharp jump in sales and its first half-year profits for five years.

The increase in the number of prom nights being held, plus a successful Royal Ascot, helped Moss Bros Hire deliver record sales in the six months to 30 July.

Brian Brick, the chief executive of Moss Bros, said: "We have focused on the younger and the prom market." The retailer ran a pack offer for a suit, shirt and tie at £129 ahead of the peak prom season from May. "The kids are wearing suits a bit more. They go clubbing in a suit and they want to dress up more," Mr Brick said.

Moss Bros posted a 15.4 per cent rise in sales.