The fashion retailer said revenues in the six months to November grew 1.3% year on year, with retail sales up 3.1%.

Joules said gross margins also advanced during the period as a result of “a disciplined approach” to promotional activity.

The business hailed “strong” ecommerce growth but said wholesale revenues were down 3.8%.

Joules blamed the decline on the conversion of some of its larger wholesale deals into retail concessions last year, as well as the “challenging UK trading environment”.