Christie Group PLC (LON:CTG), the provider of professional business services and stock and inventory systems, emerged from a difficult year for UK retail stocktaking with revenues up and earnings intact.
Operating profit for the 12 months to December 31 rose £100,000 to £3.8mln, while turnover grew 4.5% to £63.7mln.
Star performer was the professional business services (PBS) unit where profits grew by 42%. The Stock & Inventory Systems & Services (SSIS) had a tougher time of it, with margins squeezed, as food retailers in particular deal with food price deflation at a time when wage costs are set to rise.
Despite this, the division continues to be offered assignments by new clients, though the company has to take care in accepting only those that will be profitable.
Investors will be rewarded with a 1.5p a share final dividend, bringing the total to 2.5p, up from 2.25p a year earlier.
Chief executive David Rugg said: "During 2015 we expanded our team, our network and our range of services and grew our client base.
“We have developed our systems for implementation in 2016 and are soundly based for the future."