Sales at womenswear retailer Jacques Vert fell 7 per cent in the first 21 weeks of the financial year compared with the same period last year.

Jacques Vert chairman Steve Bodger said: “As has been widely reported, the trading environment since the time of the Preliminary Announcement has worsened, however we have already taken action to reduce the effects of the consumer downturn.”

Jacques Vert operates womenswear brands Jacques Vert, Windsmorr, Planet and Precis online and across about 940 outlets around the world.