Home shopping retailer Findel has reported like-for-like sales were down 3% for the 39 weeks to January 1.

For the period, total sales were 3% up.

In its home shopping division, like-for-like sales were “in line with the same period last year”. Total sales were 10% up.

Sales in Kitbag were 35% ahead of last year but trading conditions in Confetti and iwantoneofthose.com remain challenging. The overall increase for these brands was 16% up over last year.

Sales in its education supplies division were 12% below the same period last year. After the period ended, further problems came from the snow when more than 8,000 schools were closed.

Overall, the group remains focused on generating cash and it remains on track to reach its debt reduction target for the year ending April 2.

The retailer said its cost reduction and efficiencies has achieved £15m of annualised savings with a further £10m having been identified and targeted.