Fashion and footwear chain Colorado Group Ltd has posted a 71.1 per cent jump in first half net profit to A$4.2 million from A$2.4m in 2001 on the back of a 16.9 per cent rise in sales to A$194m.

The Sydney-based company said the profit rise reflected the more constant revenue streams achieved by its new wholesaling businesses and it expects strong full-year results with earnings growth in the double digits.

Managing director, Rowan Webb, commented: "Because the Diana Ferrari and Palmer Corporation wholesaling operations are less seasonal, they will have a larger impact on first-half profit growth than they will in the second half.

"The core retail business, comprising Mathers, Williams and Colorado, achieved internal EBIT targets and margins continued to grow despite a tough retail trading environment in clothing and footwear."