MRS FIELDS PLANS TO OPEN MORE STORES
U.S. Based speciality food retailer <Mrs
Fields Inc>, which earlier announced pre-tax profits of 17.1
mln dlrs in 1986 against 6.8 mln in 1985, said it plans further
growth this year with the opening of 125 new stores in the U.S.
    The company, which is quoted on London's Unlisted
Securities Market (USM), said it also planned to expand its
outlets internationally.
    However, chairman Randall Fields told a news conference the
company would not move into any new countries during 1987 but
would intensify its efforts where it already had stores.
    During 1986 the company opened 81 new stores, including 76
in the U.S., Two in Australia and one each in Japan, Canada and
the U.K.
    "We intend to open a minimum of five more units in London
for example and it is reasonable that we might open other
stores in other European countries in 1988," Fields said.
    He said the company acquired competitive businesses as a
matter of routine, and might add others in 1987, but declined
to say how much the company planned to spend on them.
    Last year turnover rose by 20.8 pct to 87.1 mln dlrs from
72.6 mln dlrs in 1985.
 Reuter
