Electrical retailer Comet has offered signs of an "improved performance" - despite a fall in third quarter sales.
In the three months to October 31 the chain's turnover slumped 0.8 per cent to £358.2 million, down 3.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Its owner Kesa Electricals said this represented an improvement over the first half of the year when like for like sales fell by 4.8 per cent.
Chief executive Jean-Noel Labroue said the group, which also includes the Darty and BUT electrical chains in France, delivered "satisfactory sales" during the period and that Comet had slightly improved its market share.
The store's 249 branches suffered from the sector slump in white goods sales but has seen a growth in new technologies such as flat screen televisions and digital radio.
Total group sales grew by
2.5 per cent to £973.1 million but were down one per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Darty, the market leader in France, was Kesa's best performer with like-for-like sales up two per cent to £374.1 million.
But the firm said despite growing sales, price deflation was affecting profitability.
Mr Labroue said it was too early to predict the sector's key December to January trading period but believed sales in white goods would remain sluggish compared to new technologies.
He said: "Against this background we will stay committed to margin, cost and cash management while continuing to improve our specialist customer proposition."
The group, which employs 28,000 people in nine countries, recently announced a sharp fall in half-year profits after Comet fell into the red.
Comet recorded trading losses of £3.3 million, down from profits of £4.4 million, following a drop in turnover of 2.2 per cent to £623.7 million in the six months to July 31.
Retailers across Britain are struggling as debt- laden shoppers cut back on spending following tax rises, higher utility bills and a stagnant housing market.
Rivals GUS and Dixons owner DSG International said they expect like-for-like sales for the UK non-food nonclothing market as a whole to remain in negative territory for the next 12 months.
Matthew McEachran of analysts Investec Securities said as well as tough trading conditions the French retailers faced "new concerns" as riots had an adverse impact on the new quarter.
