Gear4music sales growth ahead of expectations

(Sharecast News) - Online retailer Gear4music saw sales grow ahead of the company's own forecasts in the first half of its trading year, boosted by a 230% rise in fulfilled orders from its German distribution centre.Gear4music turned in total sales growth of 36% to £42.5m on Friday, with UK sales growing 34% to £24.0m and European and Rest of the World sales jumping 39% to £18.5m.The musical instruments and equipment retailer also saw active customer numbers increase 40% to 547,000.In addition to the "good progress" reported by Gear4music at its German distribution centre, the firm revealed that its new Swedish distribution centre was on track to be operational by the end of October.Gear4music's chief executive, Andrew Wass, said: "Our core UK market continues to perform well and with the UK distribution centre upgrades we announced in May progressing to plan, we are well positioned to deliver further strong sales growth during the busier second half of the year."Elsewhere, Gear4music announced that it will change its accounting reference date from 28 February to 31 March, with immediate effect, in order to report in a cycle that is "more compatible" with its seasonal trading pattern.As of 0805 BST, Gear4music shares had dipped 1.13% to 610p.