 Analysts were disappointed by French Connection's latest update |
Two of the UK's best-known clothing retailers, Next and French Connection, have come under pressure after their recent sales disappointed investors. Shares in French Connection closed almost 8% lower, while Next saw its stock slide 6.4%.
Both companies, once darlings of the fashion-conscious shopper, are trying to bounce back after some tough years.
While there are some signs of recovery, many rivals are doing better and are a better investment, analysts said.
Volatile times
 |  Trade has been extremely volatile |
French Connection said that its sales growth was less than many analysts had expected.
According to the company, sales at its UK and European retail division rose 3% in the first 13 weeks of the financial year.
Optimism about the strength of the sales had seen the company's shares climb 8% in the previous two sessions.
"Despite a promising start to the year, the current statement points to a disappointment," Numis Securities wrote in a note to clients.
Next, which has more than 400 shops and a mail order business, said that its like-for-like sales fell by 2.7% in the 15 weeks to 12 May.
"Trade has been extremely volatile," the company said, adding that a good Easter was followed by a very disappointing first two weeks of May.
The performance was "disappointing given how well some of its competitors fared," said Richard Ratner, an analyst at Seymour Pierce.
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