Brit ecommerce success story ASOS.com says sales have jumped 34 per cent to £472 million in the six months to February, partly due to growing overseas demand.

The dotcom, founded by chief executive Nick Robertson, reported a 22 per cent drop in profit before tax to £20.1 million, due to heavy investment and expansion planning.

But the profit slowdown was widely anticipated and analysts say the business is primed for fast growth in the near future.

Mr Robertson said: “This increased pace of investment has reduced our profitability in the period, but will deliver significantly increased capacity as well as efficiencies in the longer term.

“Asos is not and has never been about the short-term; the scale of the global opportunity remains as exciting as ever and we are investing for the many opportunities ahead.”

ASOS.com has 8.2 million active users, 36 per cent more than a year ago.