LONDON--Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd's underlying
earnings during the period from July 1 to Nov. 1, were lower than
in the previous year, mainly due to challenging trading conditions
and cost inflation at its Food businesses.
Trading conditions in the group's Food businesses are expected
to remain challenging for the rest of the year and margin pressure
will continue to be a factor across the group, the pan-Asian
retailer said Wednesday.
The group's overall performance was subdued during the period
under review. Increased sales and profits were achieved in the
Health and Beauty, Home Furnishings and Restaurants divisions,
despite continuing pressure on margins.
"By contrast, the Food business experienced lower profitability
as a result of challenging trading conditions and cost inflation,"
the company added.
-Write to Razak Musah Baba at razak.baba@wsj.com; Twitter:
@Raztweet
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