 Whittard says the London terror attacks have hit its sales |
UK tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea has said that recent takeover interest from overseas suitors has "waned" since the attacks on London. The company said current trading levels were below "expectations" because of the bombings and fewer people visiting its stores in UK shopping centres.
Whittard's shares soared by more than 30% when it first confirmed takeover interest in the middle of July.
It said a number of parties had still expressed an interest in the company.
"Whilst the retail climate remains very tough across the UK, like-for-like sales at the company's High Street/Mall stores are ahead of the corresponding period last year, albeit at a lower gross margin," Whittard said.
The firm also bemoaned widespread general discounting in the UK High Street.
Whittard did not name any of the companies that had expressed an interest in buying the business.
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