Sofa specialist, DFS, has reported "weaker than expected demand" in the six months to December 24.

The retailer, which has a store in Cheltenham, saw sales fall by £39m (5.6%) for the period, as reported by Retail Gazette.

DFS blamed the record hot weather in September, which it said contributed to low footfall.

The retailer has now reduced its full-year sales forecast, with revenues expected to come in between £1.02bn and £1.04bn, rather than the previously forecast £1.06bn to £1.08bn.

Despite this, DFS said it was still confident in delivering its pre-tax profit guidance of between £30m and 35m.