Sales of Dr Martens sandals and shoes soar as boots slide

British brand's profits tumble after string of errors in US operation hits sales

Dr Martens has revealed a slide in profits as sales of its key product - boots - fell 10% last year after the British brand made a string of errors at its US business and pulled back distribution in Latin America and China.

The footwear maker said sales of its chunky sandals and shoes had risen by about 50% to become almost a third of total sales, but boot sales had suffered, particularly in America, after it focused marketing on its other products and struggled with problems at a warehouse in Los Angeles.