SuperGroup sales fall 3.1% after weak April

The group, which trades as Superdry, was hit by weaker sales in April and tough comparisons with last year when the cold spring weather led to a spike in sales of jackets.

Like-for-like sales in the three months to April 26 were down 3.1% and SuperGroup said profits for the full year would be towards the lower end of expectations.

But founder and chief executive Julian Dunkerton said: “Our position in the market is firming up and we are now spreading this across Europe. We have won the war in our sector and in the past 12 months we have seen massive growth.”

Total retail sales for the group, which sponsored model Poppy Delevingne’s hen party, were up 13.3% at £54.6 million and wholesale also performed well with an 11.2% rise to £43.2 million, pushing group sales 12.4% ahead to £97.8 million.

Dunkerton added: “We are a product- led company and, obviously with the weather, we have not sold as many jackets and gilets this time. But T-shirts and shorts are selling well.”

Retail analyst Nick Bubb said: “The City is nervous about the history of SuperGroup profit warnings.”