Noni B expects earnings to rise 21 per cent this year to $45 million – despite weaker same-store sales over the last few months – buoyed by faster-than-expected synergy gains from its $31 million acquisition of five brands from rival Specialty Fashion Group in July.

The five brands – Crossroads, Autograph, Millers, Katies and Rivers – lost $12 million in 2018 and Noni B originally expected them to break even by the end of fiscal 2019 as it cut operating, sourcing and marketing costs by $30 million.