Women's clothing retailer Monsoon says that sales fell over Christmas because of difficult trading conditions.
Sales in the eight weeks to January 20th fell by eight per cent, following a six per cent like-for-like sales decrease in the prior six months.
Despite the fall in like-for-like sales, total sales for the company were up in the period by 17 per cent, helped by the opening of new stores in the UK and internationally. Monsoon opened 47 stores worldwide throughout the period.
The company's profit also fell from the previous year, with a decrease of five per cent to £24.2 million in the six months to November 25th 2006.
"It has been a difficult six months with like for like sales declining both in the UK and overseas," chairman Peter Simon said.
"Sales growth has been driven by new stores but this has impacted costs. More normal levels of capital expenditure of £8.9 million and improvements in working capital have returned the business to a positive net funds position."
Monsoon has 402 stores operating throughout the UK and 400 stores internationally.
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