Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

Woes not ho-ho-hos for Bonmarche this Christmas

It won't be a merry Christmas at womenswear chain Bonmarche, which says current trading conditions are worse than during the recession, as it blamed Brexit uncertainty for its falling sales.

Shares in the value retailer, which has stores in Gloucester, Lechlade and Lydney, fell by 48 per cent as it issued its second profit alert in less than three months, forecasting that it could slump to a full-year loss, as reported by Sky.

Bonmarche said sales during Black Friday week, when it had hoped to see a rise in sales as shoppers took advantage of discounts, had been extremely poor. The retailer said its Black Friday performance suggested that consumer behaviour wasn't following last year's pattern or any other pattern it has experienced previously.

The company believes uncertainty around Brexit is a significant factor affecting demand and that things may not improve until the current period of uncertainty ends.

Bonmarche now expects to report full-year results that show somewhere between zero profit and a £4m loss.

The warning comes just days after retailers including Superdry  and Dixons Carphone  also pointed to uncertainty weighing on UK consumers.

Punchline said: "It's been a tough year on the high street and it doesn't look like the uncertainty is going to end any time soon for many of our big retailers. This Christmas looks to be less about the ho-ho-hos and more about the woes."

Related Articles

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise Image

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise

Forest of Dean-based advanced engineering group Versarien saw its revenues halve last year.

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service Image

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service

Gloucester-based Freemans Event Partners has launched a brand-new around-the-clock foodservice logistics offer.

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court Image

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court

Just three offices are now available for rent at Elmbridge Court, following the latest letting.

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking Image

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking

Better parking and traffic control improvements for Cirencester residents and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.