SCOTTISH born SuperGroup chief executive Euan Sutherland has launched a sweeping review of the retailer's operations less than two months after taking charge.

Mr Sutherland, who formerly headed up Co-operative Group and has also held roles at Boots, Dixons, Kingfisher and the owner of Superdrug, believes he has identified parts of the company which can be improved and will spend the next few months firming up his plans.

The 45-year-old Mr Sutherland, who became SuperGroup chief executive on October 22 after moving from a non-executive director role, said: "SuperGroup is an exciting business with a strong brand and significant growth opportunities which, during this period, has suffered from widely publicised external factors.

"Additionally, I have identified that there are some parts of our operations that we can improve.

"I am reviewing every aspect of the business, including the execution of our strategy, cost management and capital allocation and will report our conclusions in the spring."

That came as SuperGroup, owner of the SuperDry high street brand and stores, reported disappointing half-year figures as in line with other retailers a warmer than anticipated autumn hit sales of winter clothing.

The company also admitted that there had been a "mixed" reaction to some of its spring and summer lines earlier in the period.

SuperGroup said the temperate autumn was the main reason for a fall in profits in the period as that hit sales in both its wholesale and retail division.

Retail like-for-like sales were down 4.1 per cent, with a brief upswing at the start of the second quarter wiped out by the impact of mild weather from mid-September through to November.

Wholesale revenue was held back by a 10 per cent fall across the UK and Ireland.

Total group revenue in the 26 weeks to October 25 actually rose 8.4 per cent to £208.2 million with retail up 12.5 per cent to £131.6m and wholesale by two per cent to £76.6m.

However underlying operating profit dipped from £17.7m to £12.1m.

The retailer also outlined that it ended the period with a higher than anticipated level of stock.

That means it will cut prices to clear the backlog and result in full-year margins coming in flat, from an anticipated improvement of 0.25 per cent basis points.

Yet Mr Sutherland, who walked out of the Co-operative Group earlier this year claiming it was "ungovernable" after meeting resistance to reform plans, said he believes the company is well set for the key festive trading period.

He said: "We are well prepared for the important peak season and remain on track to deliver profits within guidance."

Cheltenham based SuperGroup said its UK portfolio now stands at 97 and 53 concessions, with 14 sites Scotland, covering 553,000 square feet. In mainland Europe it has 54 owned stores.

The arrival of Mr Sutherland, who is from Edinburgh, saw SuperGroup's co-founder and boss Julian Dunkerton move to a newly created role of product and brand director.

Kate Calvert, analyst at Investec, kept a buy rating on the stock. She welcomed the review by Mr Sutherland and also highlighted the potential for SuperGroup to grow in Europe.

Ms Calvert said investors would be reassured the company was sticking to full year profit guidance, which is expected to be between £60m and £65m.