JLH.L Share News (JLH)

(ShareCast News) - A strong fourth quarter is expected to push up John Lewis of Hungerford's full year sales.The bespoke kitchen, bedroom and furniture retailer posted a trading update for the year to 31 August ahead of its full results due in December.It expected to report sales for the year of £7.8m, up 5% from the £7.4m of sales in 2014.The company noted that the first three quarters of the year trading had been flat on the previous year, however a strong trading performance in the final quarter boosted its full year results.It also still expects to achieve a nominal operating profit in the second half however is likely to report an overall loss for the full year."Whilst disappointing this is a consequence of investments made in line with the strategic growth plan coinciding with an unexpected decline in sales resulting from senior staffing changes within key showrooms caused by factors outside the company's control," the trading update said.The company said that in the first quarter of the new year to date, dispatched sales and forward orders stand at £1.9m.