Blacks Leisure feels the pain from uncertainty

The outdoor clothing and equipment retailer described the 7.5 per cent fall in like-for-like sales as disappointing but said the shortfall mainly arose in May when political uncertainty and a prolonged dry spell may have hit demand.

Blacks said the other months in the 17-week period to June 30 were in line with expectations following efforts to overhaul its retail estate.

As well as refurbishments and a drive to improve customer service, the Millets owner has opened new stores in York, Chester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Cambridge, London's Regent Street and Belfast. It has a pipeline of eight stores between now and the end of the financial year in February.

It added: "The performance of these new stores is very encouraging with sales per square foot being on average 39 per cent above the rest of the ongoing estate."

Blacks hopes that other initiatives such as the launch of a customer loyalty card and a range of branded lines will boost trade in the coming months.

Singer Capital Markets analyst Mark Photiades doubled his forecast for losses this year to 5m.

Despite the bigger than expected drop in like-for-like sales, he noted good progress in terms of store openings.

Mr Photiades added: "Whilst adverse trading conditions have not been helpful, we believe that the controllable elements of the recovery plan are being managed very well, but we adopt a prudent stance at this stage."

Total sales for the 17 weeks fell to 53.9m, from 76.9m a year earlier.