Card Factory profits have fallen in the first half, despite a rise in sales.

The card retailer, which has stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury, saw pre-tax profits fall by 43% to £14m in the six months to July 31, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Card Factory said this was due to the big rise in the National Living Wage, as well as freight inflation and phasing of strategic investments.

Sales rose by nearly 6% to £234m for the period. Online sales were up 9% and sales of gifts and celebration essentials rose by 6%.

The retailer is currently working on a big store revamp programme and opened a new store at Cheltenham's Gallagher Retail Park, in the Food Warehouse building, earlier this year.