RETAILING and business services group GUS today unveiled record half-year profits on the back of sales improvements in each of its three main businesses.

GUS said strong per-formances by Argos, luxury fashion label Burberry and business services group Experian were behind a 44 per cent rise in pre-tax profits before one-off items to £354m in the six months to September 30.

Argos improved sales and profits by 14 per cent and 27 per cent respectively, while there was good progress at DIY chain Homebase.