Card Factory issues shock profit warning during peak Christmas period

Retailer, which also owns Funky Pigeon, says economic pressure has hit shoppers' confidence

Card Factory has delivered an unwelcome early Christmas surprise for investors by issuing a shock profit warning during the greetings card retailer's peak trading period, which sent shares plunging by more than a fifth.

The retailer, which also owns the online card and gift brand Funky Pigeon, said economic pressure on shoppers has hit confidence in its most important trading period of the year.