Britain's Most Admired Companies 2012: Retailers (specialist) sector

A defiant first place for Carphone Warehouse after a tough year that started with a 40% drop in pre-pay phone sales after Christmas 2011, thanks to reduced subsidies from networks. But interim profits for the UK are up 30% to £8.6m. New entrant Specsavers takes second place – its strapline ‘should have gone to Specsavers’ seems to be working and it is the top scorer in its category for financial soundness, although group profits are notoriously guarded. Somerset’s finest shoemaker Clarks comes in third, buoyed by the patronage of megastar Rihanna. Majestic Wine makes fourth after a typically solid performance – profits rose £3m to £23.2m for the year to April.

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BMAC 2012 by sector: Retailers (specialist)