A strong jobs market and other positive economic indicators bode well for Briscoe Group’s final quarter, after the homeware and sporting good retailer saw its third quarter sales rise.

Revenue rose 2.7 per cent to $129 million in the 13 weeks to October 29 versus $125.6m a year earlier and was also up 2.7 per cent on a same-store basis, the Auckland-based company said in a statement.

Homeware sales across the group rose 2.5 per cent to $81m while sporting goods sales rose 3.1 per cent to $47.9m

On a same-store basis homeware sales increased by 2.65 per cent for the quarter and by 2.87 per cent for sporting goods.

The group’s homeware segment increased sales by 3.90 per cent during this period and the sporting goods segment by 3.87 per cent.

On a same-store basis the group’s sales for the nine month period ended 29 October 2017 were 3.89 per cent ahead of the same period last year.

Rod Duke, Briscoe’s managing director, said the retailer was “pleased with the sales growth achieved during October after rather subdued retail trading during September had been widely reported on the back of unseasonal weather, election-related uncertainties and the slowing house market.”

“We’ve certainly seen a healthy rebound in October with Labour Day promotions delivering significant growth on the previous year,” he said.

“With a strong employment market, low rates of unemployment and strengthening rural incomes there are a number of positive economic indicators which bode well for retailers leading into the Christmas period.

“We are certainly encouraged by the very strong sales growth experienced during October and gives us considerable confidence as we commence the crucial final quarter with sales and profit tracking ahead of last year as they have done for each of the previous two quarters.”