MORE FRENCH DISCONNECTIONS

The fashion chain yesterday recorded a pre-tax loss of £12.8 million for the six months to the end of July, up from a £5.4 million loss last time, on revenues 4 per cent up at £116.9 million.

Operations director Neil Williams said the company had closed nine “underperforming” stores and concessions and more were being considered. “We have been hit by a weak pound and difficult retail environments,” he said. The company suffered a 3 per cent same-store sales drop in the US and had been forced to increase promotions.

But in the UK and Europe same-store sales grew 2 per cent, boosted by ladieswear. “Dresses have sold well,” Williams said. “Men stop shopping earlier in a recession and we are looking at finding male celebrities to promote our clothes. But there is little evidence that the fashion market in the UK and Europe will recover in the short term.”