Net-A-Porter profits treble as shoppers get clicking

There's still strife on the High Street but online clothes retailers are defying the crunch. Net-A-Porter, the online haute couture shop, is the latest to show its strength with a trebling in pre-tax profits.

The privately owned London firm made £10 million in the year to the end of January, up from £3 million last time off sales which surged 48% to £81.5 million.

Net-A-Porter collaborated with designers such as Alexander McQueen and Roland Mouret.

Many UK retailers have struggled over the past year as consumers cut back on spending during the recession. But the rise in online clothes buying has been a feature of the recession. Asos.com and Mywardrobe.com are also on the up.

Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet said: "Predicting the outcome for 2009 is even harder than ever but we believe the fundamental strengths of an ever more impressive brand and product line-up coupled with a growing international customer base will stand us in excellent stead.

"I am thrilled with this year's results which show that people are turning to the internet as a viable — and in many cases, preferred — shopping and media destination."

The company says it is attracting 6,500 new customers to the site each month.

Net-A-Porter prides itself on its same-day delivery service from its distribution centre in Greenwich, London.