Asos takes a hit from Omicron as supply chain costs soar

Asos said sales in Europe were hit by Omicron but UK sales held up (Asos/PA)

Online fashion giant Asos said it suffered from the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus as supply chains were squeezed and revellers stayed indoors.

Sales in the four months to the end of December rose just 2% to £1.4 billion (€1.7bn) and profits took a dent as the retailer was forced to discount heavily and spend more on shipping goods to its warehouses.