British fashion retailer Mulberry Group Plc said on Thursday it expected its full-year results to be ahead of market estimates led by a stronger-than-estimated trading performance in the UK.
Top U.S. retailers saw anemic same-store sales in February as shoppers kept a tight hold on spending, but Wal-Mart Stores Inc again beat expectations and said lower gasoline prices had relaxed some household budgets.
Major U.S. retailers are expected to post lower February same-store sales later this week, as shoppers remained stubbornly thrifty and a dire recession showed no signs of improving.
Germany's Beiersdorf, the maker of Nivea cream, shied away from giving a detailed 2009 outlook on Tuesday due to economic uncertainties, but said the group still aimed to grow faster than the market.
Jeweler Finlay Enterprises, hurt by liquidity woes, is shutting its department store outlets over the near-term to concentrate on specialty jewelry stores, 40 of which it also earmarked for closure.
British upmarket jeweller Theo Fennell Plc said on Thursday it would close its Fine Jewellery and Watch concession in the Brown Thomas Department Store in Dublin after it had unveiled its plans to downsize its business last month.
Jewelry retailer Zale Corp posted quarterly results that missed Wall Street estimates on Wednesday as aggressive price cuts in the face of lower consumer spending ate into profit margins, and its shares fell more than 11 percent.
German detergents-to-glue group Henkel stuck to its mid-term targets and said it aimed to grow faster than the market during a tough 2009 after unveiling forecast-beating results.
Upscale retailer Saks Inc posted a much deeper-than-expected quarterly loss on Wednesday as its customers headed to sales racks or just cut spending outright in the worst holiday season in nearly 40 years.
Westfield Group Ltd WDC.AX, the world's top mall owner by market value, will not start work on any mall projects this year, it said on Thursday, saving up to A$2 billion ($1.3 billion), as capital markets remain shaky.
British discount fashion retailer Primark reported strong sales growth on Monday boosting the shares of its owner Associated British Foods Plc and helping to offset a warning of slightly lower group profits.
Fashion sales fell victim to consumer cutbacks during the holidays and no respite is in sight this year, but upscale store chain Saks Inc (SKS.N) and off-price retailer TJX Cos Inc (TJX.N) signaled to investors they were working hard to weather the storm.
The management of Barratt Shoes and Priceless Shoes have struck a deal that will save 3,000 jobs, the administrators of the British shoe retailers said on Thursday.
Jones Apparel Group Inc reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss on Wednesday and said its cash position improved, sending shares up 11 percent.
Stricken shoe retailers Barratt and Priceless Shoes and their 5,450 staff were dealt a blow when creditors rejected a restructuring plan.