Figleaves owner warns of wet weather woe

June followed in the damp footsteps of April to be the wettest since records began — and that has stopped women from splashing out on summer clothing, hurting sales at online and catalogue retailers like Simply Be and Fifty Plus.

The fairer sex are more impetuous buyers, according to N Brown, which owns those and other brands including High & Mighty and bra seller Figleaves. "Ladieswear revenues have been lower than expected, primarily due to the unsettled weather conditions," they said.