Woolies continues to struggle

UK retailer Woolworths today said trading at its high street stores continued to be difficult and warned England’s participation in the World Cup would reduce the number of customers in the short term.

Reporting a 6.7% decrease in like-for-like sales in its retail arm for the 19 weeks to June 10, Woolies said it was continuing to reshape the business, including shutting a number of stores and refitting others.