Upmarket furniture retailer OKA has taken the decision to shut two thirds of its shops on Mondays to cut costs.

The 12-store retailer – which is run by chief executive Annabel Astor, the mother-in-law of Conservative Party leader David Cameron – has closed eight of its 12 stores on Mondays since February due to dwindling footfall numbers and anticipation of tough trade.

All of OKA’s stores have also traditionally shut on Sundays.

An OKA spokeswoman said: “It’s quieter in stores on those days, so it makes business sense.”

But she added that the business is trading well. “It in no way reflects a contraction in the business.” It is understood the retailer might open more stores in the next year.

There have been no job cuts as a result of shutting the shops on Mondays, the spokeswoman added.

The furniture sector has been hit hard in the recession. Earlier this year Sofa Workshop hit the buffers and was bought back by the founder, and last week Lombok was bought out of pre-pack administration.

In May last year OKA said it wanted to open up to 20 stores in the following three years.

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