Debenhams and M&S See LFL Decline; DFS Growth Hits Double Digits

A brief overview of results from Debenhams, DFS, John Lewis and M&S, all published on Super Thursday:

Marks and Spencer
Quarter 3 2018/19 covering 13 weeks to 29 December 2018

Total UK sales: (2.7)%
Total UK LFL sales: (2.2)%
Food: (2.1)%
Clothing & Home: (2.4)%

“Steady performance in difficult markets and transformation plan on track.”

Debenhams plc 
Six weeks and the 18 weeks to 5 January 2019

Group LFL sales (six weeks to January 5th): (3.4)%
Group LFL sales (18 weeks to January 5th): (5.7)%

"Against a challenging market backdrop, the Group is currently on track to deliver current year profits in line with market expectations, supported by further identified cost savings."

DFS Furniture PLC (DFS, Dwell and Sofa Workshop) 
Five month trading period to 30 December 2018

Total underlying sales growth: +10%
Like for like sales growth 'across all brands'

John Lewis Partnership 
Seven weeks to 5 January 2019

Gross sales at the John Lewis Partnership: +1.4% 
Gross sales at John Lewis & Partners: +2.5% and +1.0% on a like-for-like basis
Waitrose & Partners gross sales (excluding fuel): +0.2% and +0.3% on a like-for-like basis

"Two main factors are affecting the retail sector - oversupply of physical space and relatively weak consumer demand. Despite this, we had a positive Christmas trading period thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Partners in our business, delivering differentiated products and service to customers."

Source : Insight DIY Team

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