Retailer JJB Sports has warned of tough conditions ahead after unveiling a slide in half-year profits.
The group, which has three stores in Oxford and one in Banbury, was rocked by the sudden death of chief executive Duncan Sharpe earlier this week, and has suffered from stiff competition across the clothing sector in recent months.
Margins have also been hit by strong demand for value for money goods, so that while turnover in the six months to July 31 rose four per cent to £362.5m, pre-tax profits slid 16 per cent to £39.6m.
Chairman David Whelan said the wet summer months and unseasonably warm weather in September had played a part in the decline.
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