British home retailer Laura Ashley has posted a 0.7 per cent rise in like-for-like sales for the 19 weeks to 8th June 2014.

Despite a total retail sales fall of 0.9 per cent year-on-year, the firm remained upbeat and pointed towards growth in its international franchise business. It has added six stores in Japan and South Korea so far this year.

A French language website was launched in April and a German language site could be launched by the end of the summer.

Laura Ashley has opened two stores in Waltham Cross Home and Bishop Stortford Homebase but closed three stores in Llanelli, Aberystwyth and Richmond.

Its fashion and home furnishings have recorded l-f-l growth so far this year but did not give a specific figure.