Asos in delivery talks with high street chains

Internet fashion retailer Asos is in talks with bricks and mortar chains about launching a pick-up service to allow its customers to collect their orders from high street stores and eliminate missed deliveries.

Asos said it should be able to give an update on the progress of the discussions in the next few months.

The announcement came as Asos posted a 35% jump in sales to £223 million for the year to the end of March, pushing pre-tax profits up 44% to £20.3 million. But chief executive Nick Robertson admitted the numbers could have been stronger, as bosses were "too cautious" about stock levels.

Sales in the nine weeks to June 6 were up 58% on the previous year, with best sellers including clothes with lingerie detailing and clogs.

Asos has moved a step closer to reaching its target of sales of £1 billion in five years in five countries, by investing £20 million in a bigger warehouse.