John Lewis has fallen to a half-year loss and says a no-deal Brexit will have a future impact.

With trading conditions already less than favourable, John Lewis said in its half-year results that if the UK were to leave the EU without a deal, the effect would be "significant", and it would "not be possible to mitigate that impact".

The retailer said while it had prepared for no deal, it could not fully offset the effect and the impact on fresh food supplies was a concern.

The stores group, which also owns Waitrose, reported a loss of £25.9m, down from a profit of £0.8m last year.

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John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield said that the UK's departure from the EU continued to "weigh on consumer sentiment at a crucial time for the sector as we enter the peak trading period".

The Herald: n John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield

He added that John Lewis had been preparing for Brexit by increasing its foreign currency hedging and stockpiling where possible.

"Should the UK leave the EU without a deal, we expect the effect to be significant and it will not be possible to mitigate that impact," he said.

"Brexit continues to weigh on consumer sentiment at a crucial time for the sector as we enter the peak trading period."

He said the group was worried about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on fresh food supplies and consumer confidence.

"Ultimately, that could have a knock-on impact on profits," he said. "That could be significant."