The week ahead: Home Retail Group to report on trading

Argos owner Home Retail Group is expected to reveal solid festive trading on Thursday as it bids to revamp its Homebase DIY chain.

The City expects Argos to post like-for-like sales up 2.2 per cent, compared to 3.8 per cent a year ago when a number of video game console launches boosted trade.

Its DIY chain Homebase is forecast to report same store sales up 4.1 per cent, compared to 4.7 per cent last year as it carries out a programme of store closures and upgrades.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Keith Bowman said: "Tougher year-over-year sales comparatives provide the backdrop for the owner of Argos and Homebase. Electrical sales at Argos remain a core component."

Source : Lucy Roue - Manchester Evening News
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/look-week-ahead-8420591