BUOYANT consumer spending has helped to boost pre tax profits at Arnotts by 20 per cent to £5.4 million in the year ended January 1996.

They included a contribution from all the stores in the group and its 50 per cent owned security firm, Brink's Allied, which contributed profits of £88,000 compared to a loss of £300,000 in 1994.

While Arnotts recorded strong profit growth last year, the results were less buoyant in the second six months, due to the delay in the redevelopment of the Liffey Street and Abbey Street properties.

The Henry Street store in Dublin enjoyed strong growth, while the Grafton Street store made a significant contribution. The group expects further growth this year and trading is described as "satisfactory" for the first two months. Page 6