US slowdown hits Macy's profits

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Iconic US department store chain Macy's has become the latest retailer to warn of flagging demand from customers.

It said profits in the three months to 4 August fell by 77% on the same period a year ago, to $74m (£37.1m), in "a more challenging economic environment".

Macy's results came a day after retail giant Wal-Mart and DIY firm Home Depot gave disappointing profit forecasts which sent their shares down.

The firm has more than 850 stores in 45 states across the US.

Macy's, formerly known as Federated Department Stores, saw sales slip by about 2% to $5.9bn in the period.

Chief executive Terry Lundgren said the firm was optimistic that the business "can and will improve" in the second half of the financial year.

On Tuesday, Wal-Mart Stores said annual profit would fall below expectations as consumers reined in spending.

For its part, Home Depot said that weakness in the housing market had caused quarterly profit to slide.