RAPAPORT... Michael Hill International reported that revenue improved 3.9 percent year on year to $227 million (AUD 279.3 million) for the six months that ended on December 31, according to preliminary totals that excluded Emma & Roe stores. However, on a same-store basis, sales rose 0.8 percent. In local currency, Michael Hill's sales in Australia -- the jeweler's largest market -- fell 0.7 percent to $137 million (AUD 168.6 million). In New Zealand, revenue rose 3.8 percent to $50 million (NZD 63.2 million). In Canada, sales jumped 18.5 percent to $38 million (CAD 44.9 million) and they rose by nearly as much in the U.S., where sales totaled almost $6 million. Michael Hill opened eight new stores during the first six months and closed one.
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