The late summer and the slowdown in consumer spending were blamed by High Street clothing chain Next and trendy fashion label Ted Baker for poor sales.

From the year-end on July 28 to October 2, like-for-like sales in the 274 Next's stores edged ahead one per cent.

But the first two weeks of August were boosted by higher levels of stock for the end-of-season sale and once that fortnight was stripped out, underlying sales were down 3.1 per cent on the previous year.

A Next spokesman attributed the fall to the unseasonably warm weather as well as a slowdown in rampant levels of consumer spending.

Ted Baker reported a sluggish start for its autumn and winter collection after unseasonably warm weather affected demand. The chain said a disappointing last seven weeks had offset a strong opening six months of the financial year, when pre-tax profits surged 19 per cent.

Chief executive Ray Kelvin said the lower-than-expected 3.5 per cent increase in second-half sales mainly reflected weaker menswear business as male shoppers put off buying warmer clothing.

The company remained confident of a strong Christmas and festive fortunes would be further raised by the imminent opening of a larger store in London's Covent Garden.

Ted Baker's first-half profits reached £3 million on sales of £31.8 million.

At fashion chain New Look, recovery was firmly on track despite the spending slowdown on the High Street.

New Look said underlying sales had jumped 8.7 per cent in the 26 weeks to September 28.

The growth was at the top end of analyst forecasts, while total UK sales improved 12 per cent and gross margins were 2.2 per cent ahead. New Look says interim pre-tax profits will not be less than £44 million, a significant improvement on last year's £27.3 million.

Troubled clothing manufacturer William Baird said it expected a sales revival in its womenswear division by Christmas.