DFS lowers forecast as profits slump

// Profits at DFS fall by £16.2m to £7.1m due to rising costs, particularly in the first quarter
// Although the furniture retailer said it achieved record market shareDFS saw a 16.2% slip in half-year profit amid rising costs, particularly in the first quarter, as a weak trading environment hit customer discretionary spending.
In the six-month period ending 25 December, pre-tax profit was also down at the furniture retailer, coming in at £6.8 million compared to £22.8 mi