Battered stores see little sign of upturn.

(From Western Daily Press)

More of Britain's biggest retailers yesterday showed the bruises sustained as the high street conflict gets tougher.

GUS, the owner of Argos and Homebase, saw sales decline sharply at both its businesses while fashion house Burberry, confectioner Thorntons and sportswear chain JJB also warned of falling trade.

GUS told investors that like-for-like sales fell three per cent at catalogue business Argos in the six months to September 30, while Homebase was four per cent lower.

The group said that while both chains had outperformed their competitors it was assuming its markets would shrink over the next year.

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