Fast fashion group Quiz is set to return to profitability as the “encouraging momentum” reported in the run-up to Christmas continued into the first three months of this year.

The Glasgow-based retailer, which specialises in occasion and formalwear, said revenues for the year to March 31 should be ahead of expectations at £78 million. Profits before tax are forecast to be “no less” than £500,000.

Sales grew across its store and concession portfolio, as well as the group’s e-commerce website. Like-for-like revenues were broadly consistent with those generated in the year prior to the outbreak of Covid.

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This performance contrasts with sales of just £39.7m in the same period a year ago, when Quiz suffered from the closure of non-essential retail stores and a lack of demand for dress clothes during lockdown. The decline in revenues left Quiz with an underlying loss of £9.6m before tax.

Although the group expressed “concern” in December about the potential impact of the emergence of Omicron variant of Covid, yesterday’s trading update made no reference to either the pandemic or the mounting cost-of-living crisis.

“Encouraged by the positive performance delivered during the year, which highlights the strength of and awareness of the Quiz brand and the growing customer demand for its trademark dressy and occasion wear offering, the board is confident in the group’s continued profitable revenue growth,” Quiz said.

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Headed by founder and chief executive Tarak Ramzan, the group has more than 60 stores in the UK and Ireland. Its store portfolio was significantly overhauled following the decision in June 2020 to put Kast, a subsidiary that previously operated the stand-alone stores, into administration.

Following the closure of Debenhams and Outfit the number of Quiz concessions has fallen to approximately 70, with the majority operating out of New Look stores.

Shares in Quiz, which floated on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2017 at a price of 161p, closed yesterday’s trading 4.75p higher at 15.5p.