French Connection has reported a big increase in half-year losses, blaming difficult conditions on the high street and the administration of House of Fraser.

The fashion retailer made a loss of £15 million in the six months to July 31, compared to a £5.9 million loss in the same period a year previously.

The increased loss has been linked to bad debts associated with House of Fraser’s administration.

“We see this downturn as a structural event supported by the level of closures and CVAs in both the retail and leisure markets, particularly on the high street,” said the group.

French Connection plans to close a further eight stores, where it “continues to review its store portfolio and exit non-profitable stores”.

The retailer said: “we see this downturn as a structural event.”

This highlights the difficult high street conditions, which has seen a number of retailers close non-profitable stores and apply for CVA agreements.

For example, last week The John Lewis Partnership saw its half-year profits almost wiped out last week, as it was badly affected by heavy discounting by rivals.

Stephen Marks, the chairman and chief executive, said: “There is no doubt that progress has not been helped by the trading conditions in which we operate in the UK, although we can take great confidence from the performance of the wholesale business and the stability of the licence income.”

“The order books we have provide a clear outlook for the second half of the year in wholesale although retail continues to be challenging. We remain on target to return the business to profitability this year and we will be doing everything we can to ensure that happens.”

Shares in the group (LON: FCCN) fell six percent on the results.