date:Dec 23, 2013
analysts are forecasting a tenth quarter of decline, even though last year's comparative numbers are weak.
Freddie George, analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, is forecasting a third quarter like-for-like general merchandise sales decline of 1.5 percent and is also concerned that gross margins have been under pressure from discounting.
The strategy of reducing the number of lines and backing the 'winners', which are highly geared to a cold weather environment, including cashmere and coats, appears t