Johnnie Boden Bemoans 'Terrible' Discounting Culture On The High Street

Boden founder Johnnie Boden has complained of the 'staggering' levels of discounting in the UK clothing market which he says has been compounded this year by unseasonable weather.

Boden, which sells though catalogues and his web site, told the Mail on Sunday he though the sense of optimism was returning to the country but it had not yet fed through to disposable income.

'It's tough. I think all clothing retailers out there are having a tricky time. In this economic climate I think people genuinely are spending less money on clothes. But we are growing in the UK and we are profitable,' he told the newspaper.

Boden: Complains Shoppers Are Waiting For Offers 

Boden's turnover is £265 million and he sells though a site in the US and several in continental Europe. He said his strategy would be to grow in overseas markets while striving to maintain style and quality at home.

'I think there are a lot of retailers that are struggling on the high street and one wonders how they are coping with the staggering levels of discounting. Thank god we haven't got a lot of debt,' he said.

'We are in a terrible 'offer' culture now. Poeple are waiting for offers to arrive and holding out until they do,' he said.

He added: 'It's horrible to blame the weather but we haven't had a winter yet.'

Boden is currently holding a 22 per cent off promotion until Thursday and offering free delivery.