Northern Ireland-based family owned independent retail group Ulster Stores has reported a growth in sales and profit.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 January 2022, total sales rose 31% to £13.3m from £10.1m in 2021.

Gross profit increased from £3.2m to £4.8m, while pre-tax profit resulted at £1.2m, up 92% from £625,000 recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, the Coleraine-based business, which trades across four stores and online, said that its White House Portrush location benefitted from a complete ‘reinvention of the furniture and beds department’ into a ‘home living experience’.

The company continued to invest in its other stores, which helped deliver strong sales. The group added that footfall was boosted by staycations following the pandemic.