Signet's UK division, which comprises the jewellery chains H Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis, has posted poor festive sales.

For the eight weeks to December 29, the jewellery group's UK like-for-like sales slid 3.1 per cent.

Signet group chief executive Terry Burman said: "In the UK, while like-for-like sales declined in the Christmas period, they are ahead for the year to date, reflecting improved execution in a difficult market.”

Burman added: “Further enhancements to the basic retail disciplines are planned for 2008, including the initial roll-out of the new Ernest Jones store design."

For the 47 weeks to December 29, Signet’s like-for-like sales climbed 1.8 per cent in the UK.

Signet Group’s like-for-like sales for the eight week period fell 6.8 per cent. The US division’s comparable store sales tumbled 8.1 per cent.

Signet issued a pre-Christmas profit warning in November. It operates 1,971 retail jewellery stores, including 1,402 stores in the US and 569 outlets in the UK.

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