11 FEBRUARY 1938, Page 46

FIRST STORES RESULTS.

The first results of the big department stores, most of which close their financial years on January 31st, are quite satisfactory though not necessarily. typical. Dickins and Jones, who are controlled by Harrods, increased their profit by £4593 to £125,o97. They are again paying a final dividend of 71 per cent, and retaining the extra profit in the business. Lewis's, Limited, who have an important chain of stores in the Mid- lands and the North, increased their net profit by £1,16o to £8o8,006. A special bonus of £29,375 is being paid on the deferred ordinary capital which is held by Lewis's Investment Trust.