Outdoor clothing specialist Blacks wants to improve its performance online to boost sales after a downbeat Christmas.

Like for like sales for the 19 weeks to January 12 were down 1.2 per cent, Blacks announced today. And though web sales currently represent only around 1.6 per cent of total revenue,the group is expected to redevelop its online shop in the coming months.

“We have begun a programme to return the business to historic profit levels,”said chief executive Neil Gillis.

“Initially we will focus on the cost base and then move on to a subsequent range of initiatives to drive turnover in the future.”