Bath products and bras lift L Brands in March

L Brands continued to be a bright spot in specialty retail in March, reporting a 9% increase in same-store sales.

The company said an earlier Easter and the spring break season helped its March sales increase 6% from the year before. L Brands is the owner of Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and its own eponymous brand. The company reported brisk sales at Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works in March.

For the five weeks ended Saturday, sales rose to $981.2 million, helped by the early Easter holiday.For the nine weeks ended Saturday, net sales increased 7%.

In its most recently ended quarter, net sales at the Ohio-based retailer rose 7%. In February, L Brands raised its annual dividend by 47% and announced a special dividend of $2 a share.

L Brands operates 2,600 stores under various banners all oevr the world.