Embattled fashion and homeware retailer Laura Ashley has warned over annual profits after first-half earnings slumped due to lower sales and the weak pound. Laura Ashley has warned over full-year profits after half-year earnings slumped due to falling sales and the weak pound. Laura Ashley said trading conditions had been “challenging” and “demanding” in its first half and forecast little improvement over the final six months. Chairman Khoo Kay Peng said: “Trading conditions have continued to be challenging during the first six months of the year. The group has 246 franchised stores in 29 overseas territories, accounting for 6.7% of total group sales.

Source: Daily Mail February 15, 2018 08:15 UTC