The discount outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse saw December like-for-like sales rise 13.9 percent. The company, which sells outdoor clothing and equipment through over 30 stores across the UK , reported internet sales for the four weeks ended 31 December surged 97 percent, while like-for-like sales for the year to date (1 March to 31 December) gained 12.3 percent.

“Christmas started a little slowly but then got better and better,” said managing director Mark Neale. “In particular, sales of our great value skiwear were up over 30 percent this year. Gross margin is also substantially ahead – by approximately 5 percent – of 2005. We are extremely pleased with this performance which is a tribute to the whole team at Mountain Warehouse.”

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Mountain Warehouse generates annual sales of approximately £17 million and is majority owned by NBGI Private Equity. Recently, the company has appointed BDO Stoy Haywood to investigate a possible exit for NBGI. According to Neale, NBGI had originally planned an investment period of three to five years. “NBGI are ready to capitalize on a very successful year. In the meantime, there has been plenty of interest from other private equity houses in a similar investment.” Other possibilities include a management buyout or a trade sale.

Established in 1997 with just one store, the company now operates 34 stores, including one in Austria and one in Ireland. The focus is on retail growth. “Our main competitor is Milletts, which operates 280 stores,” says Neale. “Obviously there is plenty of room for growth.”