Warehouse Group sales hit

AUCKLAND: The global slowdown in consumer spending has claimed another regional victim.

New Zealand discount chain The Warehouse Group, which offers products across fashion, homewares, furniture and stationary, has recorded a $17.7 million decline in sales for the third quarter. The fall represented a 4.3 per cent decline in sales from the same period last year, which saw the company take in $412.3 million.

CEO Ian Morrice said although the group had a strong offering across apparel and homewares, categories such as furniture and whitegoods were strongly affected.

The announcement followed news that Australian department store David Jones managed a modest 3.8 per cent growth in sales for the third quarter. Both retail giants believe colder weather conditions will help to increase consumer spending.