Quiz suffers as lockdown rules hit demand for occasion wear

Sales at Quiz had been improving over Summer before a wave of further lockdown rules dented demand for occasion wear. the fashion retailer has said.

The company, which has 64 standalone shops, said sales in the six months to September 30 dropped 73% to £17.2 million.

Like rivals, it had to shut shops in March for the Covid-19 lockdown and could only reopen then from June 15.

Quiz said that during the summer months demand for products gradually improved as restrictions on events and social gatherings were lifted, “underpinning our confidence that there is good underlying customer demand for the brand's trademark occasion wear”.

However, finance chief Gerry Sweeney said demand has recently been dampened due to recent lockdown rules that impact how much people are going out. That includes the rule of six, 10pm curfews for bars, and local lockdowns.