RETAILER Bonmarche is to put down roots in more garden centres after a trial run showed the sites delivered encouraging sales.

It runs 268 stores, tested concessions in three garden centres last year and plans to open 15 to 20 concessions in the next year, many of which will also be in garden centres.

Pre-tax profits jumped 66 per cent to £8 million in the year to March 29 while like-for-like sales rose 10.4 per cent as it also benefited from a store refitting programme. The company specialises in womenswear for the over-50s.