JOHANNESBURG, Nov 27 (Reuters) - South African retailer Woolworths Holdings Ltd WHLJ.J reported a 2.2% rise in group sales for the 20 weeks ended Nov. 11, as strong performance in its home market offset weakness at its Australian upmarket department store chain, David Jones.
Food sales increased by 8.8% from a year earlier while its South African fashion, beauty and home sales grew by 2.8%, the company said in a statement.
Sales at David Jones for the period declined by 2.1%, weighed down by disruptions at its Elizabeth Street store in Sydney due to refurbishment.
David Jones has been struggling to contend with subdued consumer spending in a slowing Australian economy and pressures faced by department store operators as shoppers switch to online players such as Amazon.com Inc AMZN.O , or speciality fast fashion brick-and-mortar stores like Inditex's ITX.MC Zara.