As tough economic conditions left most retailers’ coffers emptier than hoped, fashion chain Noni B has fared better.

The company on Thursday announced it expected to lift its first-half profit by up to 60 per cent despite the slew of bad news emerging from other major retailers.

The nationwide women’s fashion retailer said its net profit could rise to between $2.1 million and $2.4 million for the first half of its 2012 financial year.

The retailer reported a profit of $1.5 million for the first half of 2011.

The chain is something of a diamond in the rough, with other major retailers reporting lukewarm post-Christmas figures, profit downgrades and falling share prices.

Joint managing director David Kindl said that while sales were in line with 2011, earnings had improved thanks to improved productivity, lower costs and better profit margins.

“We have reviewed all expenses and streamlined operations so we have a leaner structure where executives are closer to the shop floor and able to provide better support to the sales team,” he said.

“We continued to invest in our sales team and increased training to improve service for our customers, including offering personal styling sessions.”

Investors welcomed the good news, sending its shares 15 cents, or 37.5 per cent, higher to close at 55 cents.

Noni B’s upbeat news is in stark contrast to recent first half earnings and sales downgrades from Billabong, Kathmandu and JB Hi-Fi.

Kathmandu, the outdoor clothing company, blaming everything from the global economic outlook and a cooler start to summer in NSW for its weak sales.

The Australian Retailers Association has described sales during the busy Christmas trading period as relatively flat compared to 2010.

Noni B will report its first-half results for 2011/2012 on February 15.