US arm continues to outperform rivals
Like-for-like sales at the UK arm of jewellery giant Signet fell 8.6 per cent to£196 million at constant exchange rates in the 13 weeks to January 28.

Like-for-like sales at H Samuel fell by 8.8 per cent and at Ernest Jones by 8.4 per cent.

UK sales for the 52 weeks to January 28 showed a similar trend, with a total like-for-like fall of 8.2 per cent to£469.7 million.

Group sales, including the larger US division, climbed by 8.5 per cent to£1.75 billion in the 52 weeks to 28 January and like-for-likes rose by 2.4 per cent.

'In the UK, trading conditions remained difficult,' admitted group chief executive Terry Burman. 'In the fourth quarter, the US business again significantly outperformed its main competition, with like-for-like sales up by 6.4 per cent.'

In the UK, Signet operates 593 stores under fascias H Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis. It has 1,221 US stores trading as Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry and a number of regional names.

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