BATTLING TO RE-CONNECT

Struggling French Connection lost £5.7million in six months. But its February-July figures were still better than this time last year when losses were £7.9m. The fashion chain has been losing out to rivals like ASOS and Zara, but boss Stephen Marks said “significant steps” had been made to return the firm to profitability in the “near future”. Mr Marks owns 41% of French Connection, leading to accusations he has too much say over board decisions. Now the firm has appointed two independent directors – Sarah Curran of Shop Direct and Robin Piggott of Moss Bros.