Car parts retailer Halfords said it would be expanding its standalone bike shop format after a trial shop in Brighton proved popular with shoppers.

The group said it wanted to open six Bikehuts by Christmas and saw the potential for up to 50 shops around the country.

Halfords opened its first Bikehut shop in Queen's Road in October last year, although Bikehut already existed as a subbrand in 300 of its stores. Halfords provides one in three bicycles sold in the UK.

The group, which has large stores in Brighton, Hove and Shoreham, said it was expanding the brand as it unveiled a 5.3 per cent increase in like-for-like sales.

Halfords said growth was seen across all product categories and continued at a consistent level throughout the period to March 30. It opened 25 new stores during the year, taking its estate to 426 sites with a staff headcount of about 10,000.

Halfords said the performance meant it expected to deliver pre-tax profits in line with market expectations on June 7.

Experts are forecasting underlying annual profits of £78.5 million, against £70.1 million achieved a year earlier. The figure strips out the impact of property transactions.

Chief executive Ian McLeod said the retailer's position in specialist and niche markets worked in its favour during times of pressure on the consumer.

He said: "We are not immune to any slowdown in the economy but we do appear to be more resilient and that's demonstrated by the fact we've grown sales this year."