US maintains shine for jeweller
Jewellery-maker and retailer Continental Holdings expects sales to remain strong over Christmas, despite the recent slowdown in consumer spending, chairman Charles Chan Sing-chuk said.
Mr Chan said the economic crisis in the region would have little effect on sales as its main market is the United States, not Asia.
He did not rule out negative growth for the group's retailing arm in Hong Kong, which contributes less than 10 per cent of total sales.
The group's investment in Spanish jewellery designer, Carrera y Carrera, had been generating promising returns, Mr Chan said.
Continental Holdings yesterday told shareholders its directors had recommended a final dividend of two cents per share.
The group reported a 23.2 per cent rise in its attributable profit to $15.25 million for the year to June, while its turnover had increased marginally by 1.3 per cent to $461.96 million.
