British online fashion retailer Asos posted a 37 per cent rise in second quarter sales, buoyed by a better than expected home performance and strong overseas growth.

Asos, whose celebrity fans include US First Lady Michelle Obama, said yesterday retail sales had risen to £186 million (€217 million) in the three months to February 28.

That was better than a market forecast for a 34 per cent sales rise, and ahead of a 30 per cent jump in its first quarter. Sales had jumped by 41 per cent in December alone after strong Christmas demand in Britain.

“Our UK performance remained ahead of expectations,” chief executive Nick Robertson said. “We remain positive in our outlook for the year to August 31 and continue to trade in line with expectations.”

While the UK’s traditional high street has suffered as consumers worry about jobs and squeezed household incomes, online retailers are faring far better, with Asos in particular bucking the gloom.

The firm, which targets young women looking to emulate the designer looks of celebrities like Nicole Scherzinger and Cara Delevingne, modestly described its performance in the first half of the year as “robust” and reaffirmed its positive outlook.

“We believe that Asos is continuing to demonstrate its potential to become the online fashion destination for 20-somethings globally,” Numis analysts said.

The group said its home market remained ahead of expectations in the second quarter with sales up 28 per cent to £75.5 million (€88 million), compared to 12 per cent growth a year ago.

International sales rose 45 per cent, up from a 34 per cent rise in its first quarter, to almost £111 million (€130 million).

Asos said its retail gross margin slipped 50 basis points in the quarter but was expected to improve in the second half as last year’s own-brand pricing reductions annualised.