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John Lewis in no-deal Brexit warning as it falls to a loss John Lewis in no-deal Brexit warning as it falls to a loss
(32 minutes later)
The John Lewis Partnership, which owns the department store chain and Waitrose supermarkets, has fallen to a half-year loss and said a no-deal Brexit would have a "significant" impact. John Lewis has fallen to a half-year loss and says a no-deal Brexit will have a "significant" impact.
The group reported a loss of £25.9m, blaming a drop in sales. The retailer said while it had prepared for a no-deal Brexit, it would not be able to fully offset the effect.
It said "subdued consumer confidence" in the first half of the year had taken its toll on results. The group, which owns the department store chain and Waitrose supermarkets, reported a loss of £25.9m, down from a profit of £0.8m last year.
Sales slipped amid "difficult" trading conditions, which were not helped by "subdued consumer confidence".
John Lewis pointed to "soft demand" for its home and electrical goods as a particular weak spot.John Lewis pointed to "soft demand" for its home and electrical goods as a particular weak spot.
The partnership, which normally makes most of its profits in the second half of the year, said it was making preparations for a no-deal Brexit. The partnership, which normally makes most of its profits in the second half of the year, said it had been making preparations for a no-deal Brexit, including building up stocks "where that is sensible".
However, the partnership's chairman, Charlie Mayfield, said: "Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, we expect the effect to be significant and it will not be possible to mitigate that impact.However, the partnership's chairman, Charlie Mayfield, said: "Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, we expect the effect to be significant and it will not be possible to mitigate that impact.
"Brexit continues to weigh on consumer sentiment at a crucial time for the sector as we enter the peak trading period.""Brexit continues to weigh on consumer sentiment at a crucial time for the sector as we enter the peak trading period."
Salary increases and an IT overhaul also ate into the group's profits, John Lewis said.Salary increases and an IT overhaul also ate into the group's profits, John Lewis said.
Amid what it described as a "weak grocery market" sales at Waitrose slipped slightly to £3.4bn.Amid what it described as a "weak grocery market" sales at Waitrose slipped slightly to £3.4bn.
However, the supermarket chain also reported a 10.7% growth in online sales, which the partnership said was "well ahead of the market".However, the supermarket chain also reported a 10.7% growth in online sales, which the partnership said was "well ahead of the market".
At the John Lewis department store business, total sales were £2.1bn, down 1.8%.At the John Lewis department store business, total sales were £2.1bn, down 1.8%.
The firm hopes to reach more customers by expanding its network of "click and collect" points at Co-op stores. "After a disappointing end to last year, and the well-documented problems at fellow department stores Debenhams and House of Fraser, it's no surprise to see John Lewis' like-for-like sales and profits falling," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst George Salmon.
"Weakness in big ticket purchases is particularly interesting because it implies consumers are factoring in Brexit uncertainty before splashing savings on large screen TVs or setting up repayment plans for new furniture."
John Lewis plans to reach more customers by expanding its network of "click and collect" points at Co-op stores.
In May, the department store announced that online shoppers would be able to pick up their purchases at six Co-op stores as part of a trial. John Lewis now plans to extend that to another 50 by the end of October.In May, the department store announced that online shoppers would be able to pick up their purchases at six Co-op stores as part of a trial. John Lewis now plans to extend that to another 50 by the end of October.