Bonmarche had a rocky Christmas, with like-for-like sales across its 310-store estate sliding 1.3% in the 13 weeks to 26 December.
This was offset by a 3.9% rise in ecommerce, while total sales for the quarter increased by 3.4%.
The Christmas trading period, however, proved to be challenging. In-store sales decreased by 2.7% and online trading also fell 2.4%.
A profit warning was made by the retailer in December as store sales to date only edged up a mere 0.8%. Nonetheless sales for the 39 weeks to 26 December rose by 5.3%.
“As noted in our announcement on 16 December 2015, trading conditions during November and December were very challenging and as a result, the Board revised its profit expectations for the current financial year” said Bonmarche CEO Beth Butterwick.
“In the short period since Christmas, demand has trended towards more normal levels. The Board‘s view of the expected outcome for the year is unchanged and it therefore reiterates its expectation that the PBT will be within the range of £10.5m to £12.0m.”
In December it was announced that Butterwick would be exiting Bonmarche to join upmarket fashion retailer Karen Millen. It is unknown who she will be replaced by.
