Sofa specialist ScS has issued the latest in a string of profit warnings after dire sales over the key bank holiday weekend.

In a statement today, ScS said that since the announcement of its interim results on March 26 trading has “remained challenging”.

In the eight weeks to May 10, like-for-like sales fell 14 per cent. The bank holiday weekend was “particularly disappointing”, with like-for-likes plummeting 20 per cent and total sales order intake down 19 per cent.

For the 41 weeks to May 10, like-for-likes are down 15 per cent and total sales order intake down 11 per cent.

ScS added that cash at May 10 is£4.8 million after paying all its suppliers during the previous week. The board will continue to focus on cost efficiencies and “prudent cash management” it added.

The retailer said: “Based on this bank holiday performance and the continuing difficult market conditions, the board expects that the profit for the second half will be reduced and will therefore result in the full year being below current market forecasts.”