Asda fails to ruffle Peacocks' fashion feathers

Value fashion retailer Peacocks insisted it does not feel threatened by Asda and Tesco's push into clothing, as it reported solid Christmas trading figures.

Finance director Keith Bryant said Peacocks and Bonmarche target different markets. 'Our customers are high street shoppers. The out-of-town customer is different. We've looked at sales at our Peacocks shops that are located close to Asda stores and they're only 1 per cent lower.'

Increased fashionability, more direct sourcing and better prices boosted like-for-likes at Peacocks by 1.3 per cent in the 13 weeks to December 27. Like-for-likes at Bonmarche fell by 3.2 per cent, against strong comparatives.