Mr Davis said: "After a difficult couple of years, the mulberry outlet steps that we have taken to return Mulberry to growth are beginning to bear fruit." He added that the next few weeks trading through Christmas and into January were very important to the company's overall full-year performance. Julie Palmer, retail partner at Begbies Traynor, said: "Having issued five profit warnings over the past two years, the market has come to expect bad tidings from handbag maker Mulberry, and their first half results are no exception. Risky management decisions such as using more expensive materials in order to push the brand further upmarket, combined with falling tourist footfall to their UK stores and weaker demand in key markets like China, have all contributed to the £1m losses. However there are cheerier signs on the horizon for the much loved British brand. A concerted effort to return to selling affordable luxury items while at the same time bolstering their online offering have contributed to a significant pick up in current trading ahead of the peak Christmas period. "Only time will tell whether this improved sales performance is enough to offset the group's increased cost base and the lower margins." 

The company appointed a new independent non-executive director, Julie Gilhart. Ms. Gilhart is a freelance fashion consultant who has advised many clients including Amazon.com and LVMH. Previously Julie spent 18 years in various roles at Barneys New York, most recently as Fashion Director. She currently holds board positions with Outerknown LLC and Parsons/New School. The company went on further to say "As announced mulberry daria on 16 September, we are deeply saddened by the recent passing of one our non-executive directors, Mr. Bernard Heng. Mr. Heng made a substantial contribution to the Group as a non-executive director for 11 years and will be greatly missed." Julie Palmer, Partner, Begbies Traynor commented: ""Having issued five profit warnings over the past two years, the market has come to expect bad tidings from handbag maker Mulberry, and their first half results are no exception. Risky management decisions such as using more expensive materials in order to push the brand further upmarket, combined with falling tourist footfall to their UK stores and weaker demand in key markets like China, have all contributed to the announced £1 million losses reported today. 

Today saw the Duke and Duchess complete a jam-packed schedule. Following the 9/11 Memorial and museum, they visited two of New York City's leading youth organizations – The Door and The CityKids Foundation – to see the work they do with disadvantaged children. Described as having a reassuringly classic silhouette, the coat concealed the Duchess' growing baby bump while also protecting her from the harsh New York chill. Style icon Kate wore a classic, black dress from one of her favourite maternity brands Séraphine, and completed her look with a simple black Mulberry clutch and a pair of Kiki McDonough green amethyst diamond cushion drop earrings. Financial highlights posted by the Mulberry Group company show that in total H1 revenue declined by 17% to £64.7m.Retail revenue was down by 9% to £45.1m and wholesale revenue was down 31% mulberry outlet uk to £19.6m. Gross margin was 59.9% as expected, reflecting in part the impact of the new factory as its production efficiency increases. Interestingly the loss before tax was £1.1m which is in line with expectations, reflecting lower sales. 

This rate has been applied to the half year results, resulting in a tax credit which will unwind over the next six months as the Group generates profits. The rate has increased primarily as a consequence of the unrelieved overseas tax losses being a greater proportion of the expected Group profit for the year. Capital and investment expenditure for the period was £12.0 million, up from £10.7 million last year, of which £7.3 million related to the acquisition of the company which owns the property rights to our new Paris flagship store (due to open during April 2015) and £4.5 million related to stores. Inventories have increased to £39.3 million from £33.4 million at the same time last year due to the lower than planned sales performance, the higher level of raw materials and work in progress needed for the second factory and the higher number of directly operated stores. At 30 September 2014, the Group had net cash of £3.6 million (2013: £11.1 million). The luxury firm faces an uphill battle to win back shoppers but chairman Godfrey Davis is unfazed. She receives a puppy and even a unicorn. But it is the grandma's pink Mulberry Bayswater bag that wins the day in this tongue-in-cheek ad meant to remind viewers 
they can't go wrong with Mulberry at Christmas.