Dr Martens issues fourth profit warning of year amid weak US sales

UK footwear firm's shares plunge as American turnaround proves more challenging than expected'

Dr Martens has issued its fourth profit warning this year as a tough consumer environment in the US continues to affect sales of its sturdy boots.

The Northamptonshire-based footwear brand said sales fell 5% to 396m in the six months to 30 September and pre-tax profits dived 55% to 26m. While this was better than City analysts had expected, the company said the outlook for the following six months had worsened because of a slower than hoped for recovery in its US business.