French Connection faces City microscope as prelims loom

Kaupthing analyst Matthew McEachran said: “It has been a tough year, particularly in relation to Toast. We will see how little profit they have done.”

The fashion retailer warned at its interim results that it expected a drop in group sales after continued poor performances from menswear and the Toast women’s range.

McEachran thought that the one positive note may come from French Connection’s wholesale division. “We will be looking at current trading in wholesale, which was looking good,” he said.

Analysts will also examine whether French Connection’s core store womenswear range has recorded a sustained improvement. Changes implemented to its menswear ranges are unlikely to have yet borne fruit.

In the first half to July 31, the retailer posted a fall in revenue to£109.4 million versus£111.2 million the previous year. Losses before tax narrowed to£2.5 million from£3.6 million.