Bhs is to temporarily halt its store refurbishment programme from the end of this month.

Owner Sir Philip Green told Retail Week: “By the end of May, we will have done 35 refurbs [out of a store portfolio of 186] and we’re probably going to stand still for a while.”

The decision to put the Bhs revamp programme on ice follows similar action by other retailers. Department store group Debenhams revealed at its results last month that revamps would be deferred.

Green said that the market was “very challenging” and it was difficult to forecast when it would improve. “It’s definitely been heads down and I think it’s a tough period ahead,” he said.

“All the easy wins have been done by everybody.”

If you have any comment to make on this story, click here.