Vacuum retailer, Godfreys, says store expansion and the successful launch of new products has helped lift first half sales.

The company opened seven new stores during the half year, converted five franchise stores to company-owned stores, and closed three franchise stores, taking the  total number of stores to 210.

Godfreys’ sales were up 3.5 per cent in the six months to December 26, reaching $90.6 million.

The company listed on the share market in December 2014 and on Monday reported a net profit of $4.3 million for the first half of the financial year.

That was down 33 per cent on the same period a year earlier, but when the cost of its market listing, plus various accounting changes and and one off benefits in the prior corresponding period are excluded, underlying profit was up 49 per cent at $5.4 million.

Godfreys plans to open 10 new stores every year and has opened seven new stores already in the financial year, with three more planned in the next few months.

It is also converting more franchise stores to company ownership.

Godfreys CEO, Tom Krulis, said Godfreys is now selling as many steam mops as vacuum cleaners, as customers seek chemical free cleaning methods.

“Optimisation of our store portfolio will continue to be a key driver of our growth and during the period we opened our new concept store at Traralgon Victoria which is setting a new standard,” Krulis said.

“Godfreys’ greatest strength remains our people and strong sales culture, built on the principles of understanding customer needs, product knowledge and sales technique. We pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of product development and innovation and have an exciting array of new products to be launched in the remainder of the year.”