High street retailer Shoe Zone thanked back-to-school shopping for a 19.1 per cent jump in profit before tax for the full year. In an update to markets, the budget footwear provider said profit before tax increased by 19.1 per cent to £16.2m in the year to September. Revenues of £165.7m were also recorded up from £156.2m in the same period the year before. In the last 12 months, the firm slashed 72 stores, reducing its portfolio to 323 sites. The retailer said it was looking to open more "hybrid and big box" stores, located in retail parks, that allow the group to sell more stock and more options. Shoe Zone said that store revenue increased 3.9 per cent to £134.8m.

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