The differing paces of the twin-speed US economy have been highlighted in figures from UK retailer GUS.

GUS's upmarket Burberry store chain, swollen by new outlets in Beverley Hills and New York, reported a "resilient" US performance in the last six months.

"This was despite the impact of September 11 that adversely affected many luxury goods companies," the company said in a statement.

But GUS's US-based retail services business, Experian, saw underlying sales slide as its corporate customers maintained a stranglehold on spending.

"Marketing activity by US corporate clients, especially in the retail, catalogue and publishing sectors, remains weak," GUS said.

The figures mirror the fortunes of a US economy which, while supporting strong consumer sales, still faces concerns over corporate profits.

Star performer

The Burberry division, which has a further 10 store openings in the pipeline, remains on track for stockmarket flotation by June, "subject to market conditions", Tuesday's statement said.

Burberry's wholesale division has performed in line with forecasts, while royalty revenues rose 10% thanks to brisk trade in Japan.

But GUS's star performer over the six months was the UK Argos chain, which saw like-for-like sales surge 13%.

Sales to home delivery unit Argos Direct surged 60%, while trade achieved through internet operations, including Jungle.com, soared by 70%.

Argos's performance, led by sales of toys and furniture, was credited to a strategy of offering a wide choice of products at low prices and with "increased convenience".

Debenhams expands

Further evidence of the strength of UK High Street sales emerged in figures from department store operator Debenhams, which said like-for-like sales in the six months to the beginning of March were 5.1% higher than a year before.

Pre-tax profits up 14% to �92.1m over the period were at the top end of analysts' forecasts.

The company, which currently operates 97 stores in the UK and Ireland, also revealed it had rejigged its store opening timetable such that four sites will be launched over the next year, creating 1,000 jobs.

A further seven new stores are expected within the next four years.

But, with rival chain Marks & Spencer showing signs of revival, investors remained concerned over levels of competition Debenhams is likely to face.

Debenhams shares stood 8p lower at 405p in afternoon trade.

Gus stock was 13p lower at 676.5p.