Much like the plants it sells, Dobbies is showing vibrant growth. In this weeks AGM statement they announced that sales for the 25 weeks to 1st November were ahead by 38.8% overall, representing a like-for-like increase of 12.6%.

The new centre in Dunfermline (48,000 sq ft of covered space) also opened this week and a centre in Sheffield (98,000 sq ft of covered space) is set to open in September. A greenfield site in York by the McArthur Glen outlet centre has just been acquired and subject to planning permission, this should, with the Lisburn site, lead to at least two openings in 2008.

A very positive announcement causing many to marginally upgrade their estimates for the current and following years, however, it’s not just trading that’s exciting everyone. With the Hunter still circling as well Dobbies’ shareholders are having a great ride.