Japanese Boost Royal Doulton Sales

First-half, pre-tax profits at Royal Doulton rose by 17% to £4.2m, due in part to the Japanese fascination with English goods. Sales in Japan were up 25%. Group turnover rose from £108m to £114.1m, aided further by an increase in Australian sales, and the first contribution from Holland Studio Craft, acqired in January. However, start-up costs from the Indonesian factory hit the group at a cost of almost £0.5m.