Outdoor apparel retailer Blacks Leisure Group Plc on Friday posted a 4.2 per cent rise in same-store sales for the 19 weeks to July 12 and said group gross margins were better than last year. The operator of more than 350 stores under banners such as Millets and Free Spirit said that same-store sales growth compared to a strong 19 per cent rise in 2002. It added the O'Neill wholesale business continues to trade in line with expectations and its group gross margin is ahead of last year by over one per cent. Blacks recently agreed to acquire surf, skate and snowboard chain Just Add Water Ltd.