Riots hit sales at House of Fraser

House of Fraser yesterday highlighted the impact of England’s riots on its sales but added that trading had picked up over recent weeks.

Like-for-like sales including VAT were 5.3 per cent higher in the six months to 30 July but reversed to 1 per cent lower due to “civil unrest and disruption” in the first three weeks of August.

The department store chain, which has 61 shops in the UK and Ireland including Edinburgh retail institution Jenners, said it was encouraged by the subsequent pick-up in trading over the past four weeks, with like-for-like sales up 3.9 per cent.

Chief executive John King added: “There is no doubt that market conditions will remain challenging, and we will remain cautious.”

He added that investment in the group’s online arm, which doubled sales in the first half of its financial year, and in store refurbishments would keep the company on the front foot.

Profits generated from sales rose £4.4 million to £94.9m in the six months to 30 July but – including set-up costs from a distribution centre in Wellingborough – underlying profits fell 6 per cent to £12.2m.