Online fashion retailer ASOS has defied the downturn with a 107 per cent rise in sales for the first half.

As high street retailers feel the pressure of a fall in consumer spending, internet shopping has gone from strength to strength.

ASOS, a celebrity-inspired shopping site, has reported a 68 per cent jump in pre-tax profit to £4.1 million and is planning an international expansion on the back of its success.

To this end, it has appointed Jon Kamaluddin, currently finance director, to the role of international director.

Over the next six months the firm also plans to broaden its product lines and offer new brands. ASOS also plans to launch ASOSKids and a premium designer brands channel.

The run-up to the Christmas period is also looking strong, AIM-listed ASOS said in its interim statement.

“So far ASOS is proving resilient to the slowdown in consumer spending and sales for the seven weeks to November 16th 2008 are 104 per cent ahead year on year.”

However, the retailer added it faces tougher second half comparables and views the coming months with “cautious optimism”.

ASOS also took pains to reassure its investors that is has £8.9 million in surplus cash, safe in a high street bank, adding it is “not the group’s policy to engage in speculative activity or to use complex financial instruments”.