Northallerton-based independent department store retailer Barkers has reported a growth in sales.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 January 2022, total sales rose 28.6% to £16.6m from £12.9m in 2021.

Gross profit increased to £8m from £5.7m, while pre-tax profit resulted at £375,000, slightly down from £872,000 recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, Barkers, which trades from its department store on the High Street and its Home store on Yafforth Road, said that the past year’s growth has mainly been driven by the continuing development of Barkers Home business and a strong recovery across other divisions.

During the period it acquired a retail premises, adjacent to the main High Street store, for a sum of £1.5m as it continues to look for opportunities to further invest in its property portfolio.

Excluding the impact of its property investment, operating profit rose to £1.9m in the year.