Fashion group N Brown has reported a fall in first-quarter sales following lacklustre early spring weather as consumer confidence remained fragile.
Sales fell 9.9% to £148.7m over the period to June 3. N Brown, which owns businesses such as Jacamo and Simply Be, said that performance had nevertheless been in line with expectations and there had been an “improving trend” over the period.
N Brown posted full-year results at the start of this month and signalled then that “softer product revenue” had continued into the first quarter.
The retailer said that the impact of the weather and low confidence was “partially offset by higher average item values”.
N Brown said full-year profit guidance is unchanged and bosses are confident in their strategy and the benefits of digital transformation.
Chief executive Steve Johnson said: “We have started the year with an elevated focus on the transformational priorities which will deliver the biggest benefits, including new mobile-first websites for Jacamo and JD Williams, and the delivery of our new financial services platform.
“We are pleased with the progress we are making, including moving towards the full roll-out to customers of the new Jacamo website.
“As flagged in our preliminary results, we expect weak consumer confidence to continue and are therefore taking a disciplined approach to managing costs and driving margin improvements while we invest in the business for medium-term growth.”
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