James Crean has sold its British florist sundries business, Douthwaites, as anticipated. It has been bought by Westcan for £7.7 million sterling (£8.5 million). This follows the sales of its confectionery business and its Dutch office products business. The disposals are part of a restructuring programme designed to give the group a "sharper industrial focus", according to Crean.

The group announced last month that it was negotiating the sale of two businesses; Douthwaites, and the group's paper conversion business operated by Staples. The sale of Staples has not yet been announced.

A brief statement from Crean announcing the sale of Douthwaites said the consideration comprised £6 million for the equity and the assumption, by Westcan, of debt amounting to £1.7 million. Crean is facing a further slump in profits this year following the 25 per cent cut in pre-tax profit to £7.1 million in the six months ended June 30th 1997. The anticipated decline had been widely signalled.

Two of its three divisions, food and electrical, are expected to continue with poor results in the second half. As part of a restructuring, disposals are expected to lead to a loss of profit contributions and adversely affect 1997's profitability.