B&Q and John Lewis warn of tough market as inflation and Brexit bite
by Sarah Butler and Zoe Wood from on (#38MDC)
Retailers say households facing squeeze on real incomes are putting off purchases as they go into key Christmas period
Britons are putting off major home appliance and furniture purchases and DIY projects, in the latest sign that household budgets are under pressure in the run-up to Christmas.
On Tuesday, the DIY chain B&Q, the department store chain John Lewis and AO, the online electrical retailer, joined the list of companies warning of tough trading conditions, as the slowdown in the housing market has a knock-on effect on demand for everything from fitted kitchens and bathrooms to sofas and washing machines.
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