French Connection to announce losses

French Connection is this week expected to reveal that its recovery has faltered in the first six months of the year. Analysts believe that chairman and chief executive Stephen Marks will report a loss of about £3m on Tuesday owing to the effect of the wet summer on sales at its high street stores.

French Connection is one of a number of fashion retailers including Next and John Lewis due to report first-half results this week as the reporting season gets into full swing. All eyes are on current trading with store chiefs braced for a downturn as higher interest rates crimp consumer spending. Marks is trying to revive French Connection's fortunes by selling £75 dresses such as this season's must-have black-and-white-striped 'Tellin' frock rather than FCUK branded T-shirts and caps.