British department group House of Fraser has cut first half losses.

The group reported a first-half loss of �1.5m before tax compared with losses of �6.6m for the same period last year.

The improvement was underpinned by a 7.1% increase in like-for-like sales and a 0.5% increase in gross profit margins.

In common with most retailers, the company makes most of its money in the second half of the year, which covers the Christmas period.

World events

House of Fraser said it is confident of a strong outcome for the full year.

But chief executive John Coleman said he could not quantify "any possible future adverse impact from recent world events."

House of Fraser saw a 16.5% growth in actual sales which rose �60m to �424.5m.

Like-for-like sales have risen by 4.7% for the eight weeks to 22 September, with further growth in gross profit margin.

Total sales are up 15%.

Sales at its refurbished Oxford Street branch are up 120%.

The group said it also saw "strong" double digit sales growth at its Bluewater and Reading stores during their second year of trading.

House of Fraser's interim dividend is unchanged at 1.7p.