By Pascale Denis PARIS, Dec 9 (Reuters Life!) - Champagne makers are hoping to hear the sound of corks popping this festive season to drown the gloom of a year that has seen sales volumes drop as a global economic downturn bites.
Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell in October, while chain store sales for the first week of December declined as the economic outlook continued to deteriorate, data showed on Tuesday.
If you have to ask, you can't afford it, and the well-heeled still go for hand-crafted Italian shoes, whatever the price, even in dire economic times.
Guess Inc reported on Thursday, December 4th a 10 percent rise in quarterly net income, beating Wall Street estimates, but the apparel retailer and wholesaler cut its revenue and profit outlook for 2008, sending its shares down more than two percent in after-hours trade.
Watch-maker Movado Group Inc posted a quarterly profit that was well below Street estimates, hurt by a fall in retail sales, and cut its fiscal year earnings outlook. Net profit for the third quarter, declined about 41 percent to $15.
Following is a round-up of key small cap movers on the London stock market on Wednesday. December 3rd 9:50 a.m. - JJB hit by probe into Sports Direct stake Shares in sporting goods retailer JJB Sports slump 23 percent to 11.
Shoe maker Crocs Inc said on Wednesday, December 3rd that it had settled all litigation with rival Skechers USA Inc, which it had claimed infringed a number of its patents. The settlement terms were not disclosed.
Sports and fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion said on Tuesday, December 2nd that sales had fallen in the last 11 weeks but that it was on track to meet market expectations in terms of full-year profit.
Sales at Italian department store chain Gruppo Coin have so far been "exactly" in line with last year, with the weather having more of an impact than the recession, Chief Executive Stefano Beraldo said on Monday.
Italian jeweller Bulgari anticipates a "bad Christmas" in terms of sales and a difficult year next year, Chief Executive Francesco Trapani said on Friday. "October was very difficult.
British billionaire Philip Green said on Thursday 27th November he has no current plans to bid for men's fashion retailer Moss Bros Group Plc , having decided now "was not the right time".
Greek jewellery retailer Folli Follie said on Thursday 9-month net profit rose 5.2 percent as robust sales in Asia cushioned it from the world economic downturn.
Italian jeweller Gruppo Damiani SpA posted a 56.5 percent fall in first-half core profit on Wednesday as sales decreased and operating costs rose.
Charming Shoppes Inc , a retailer of women's plus-size apparel, posted a quarterly loss that was narrower than market estimates, helped by higher sales and margin in October, and forecast fourth-quarter revenue above market view, sending its shares up as much as 92 percent.
Apparel retailers Talbots Inc and Chico's FAS , which cater to women aged 35 and over, reported weaker quarterly results on Tuesday as their customers cut spending in the softening economy.
