WILMSLOW: Norcros said it has grown sales despite the challenging market for showers and tiles. In a trading update for six months to the end of September revenues were expected to be in the region of £106m, up 9.4% from £102.4m in the same period last year.

Underlying operating profit is expected to be not less than £6.6m, up from 2011's £6.3m, and underlying pre-tax profit is expected to be not less than £5.9m, up from £5.4m.

Norcros said its UK business had continued to face challenging markets but had delivered year on year revenue growth of 4.7%. Its Johnson Tiles brand grew by 17%, driven by share gains in B&Q which has reviewed its tile range and introduced a new in-store tile shop.

Revenues at shower brand Triton were 8.3% down on last year, though second quarter performance improved: 3.4% down compared with first quarter which was 9.6% down.