Findel plc announced trading update for the 16 weeks since October 1, 2016.  The Group has seen strong sales growth in the period of over 11%, up from 6.5% in the first-half. Express Gifts has continued to perform well during this period which represents peak trading for the business.  Total sales were up by 14%, within which product sales were up 15.0%. Net debt ended December 2016 at £81.8 million, down by £9.3 million from the previous year despite strong growth in the working capital requirements to support Express Gifts' additional recruitment.
 
Despite the additional investment in marketing costs for recruitment at Express Gifts, Group's profit before tax and exceptional items for the full year is expected to be within the range of current market forecasts. The current market forecasts for fiscal 2017 PBT (before exceptional items) are in the range of £25.5 million to £26.1 million and for fiscal 2018 £27.0 million to £29.0 million.