Online fashion retailer Asos.com has posted increased sales and profit over the last six months owing to customer facing initiatives around delivery and returns, and investment in its international operation.

The company remains “cautiously optimistic” ahead of Christmas.

Asos posted pre-tax profits of £4.4m for the period to 30 September, an increase on £4.05m for the same period last year.

The firm's results show an overall sales increase for the six months period of 47 per cent, with UK sales increasing by 33 per cent and international sales by 112 per cent.

According to the firm, the number of active customers saw a year-on-year increase of 32 per cent to 1.2 million at the end of October 2009.

“This was a strong first half performance and an encouraging start to the second half. UK sales continue to grow and international sales have accelerated,” said Nick Robertson, chief executive of Asos.

“We built out our international operation, and its output is clearly visible with international sales now representing 25 per cent of the total,” he said.

“Fundamentally, the internet is the retail channel with the greatest potential and ASOS is ideally situated to exploit it.”