At the time, it said weak trading had continued into the second half of the year and as a result, full-year adjusted profit was forecast to be $54 million to $58 million, a drop of as much as 15 per cent from a year earlier.
The retailer is on a cost-cutting drive, stripping a net 130 jobs at its store support offices in Auckland and some regional centres, in a slimmed business structure to whittle down leadership into its two new arms and move support systems of the existing brands to be group-wide.
"The sales growth achieved by the group in the third quarter is positive considering the amount of internal change the business has gone through in the third quarter," chief executive Nick Grayston said.
"The varied performance across the brands highlights that we have a lot of work to do as we position the business to face the competitive challenges ahead of us."
In the company's largest unit, its 92 'red shed' Warehouse stores lifted sales 0.6 per cent to $391.7 million.
Same-store sales advanced 2.7 per cent with both transaction and basket size increasing compared to the same quarter last year.
"Growth occurred in most categories," the company said.
"In particular, our apparel categories performed strongly during the quarter as customers responded to our new designs and pricing strategies."
"This was offset by increased market competitiveness across Easter and lower performance in entertainment and home categories."
During the period, the company's Queenstown store relocated to a new site at the Five Mile retail centre.
Its 77 Noel Leeming appliance and technology stores increased sales 5.7 per cent to $190.9 million while same-store sales gained 5.2 per cent.
"Performance was strong across all categories, resulting in continued market share growth," the company said.
"Year-on-year growth remains strong but has slowed as the business cycles the anniversary of the exit of Dick Smith from the market."
Sales dropped 0.6 per cent at the company's Warehouse Stationery 'blue shed' stores to $72.1 million, and were down 1.1 per cent on a same-store basis.
Warehouse cited price competition for technology products and noted the year-earlier period had included NZ Post postal price increases.
The business opened its 68th store toward the end of the quarter in Hawera, Taranaki.
Its Torpedo7 sports chain posted a 1.1 drop in sales to $34.4 million, with same-store sales sliding 0.8 per cent.
"The reduction in sales has come from the Torpedo7 Australian online part of the business and softer trading in No 1 Fitness as we reorganise that business for the future," the company said.
"The 1-Day online business and Torpedo7 physical stores continue to perform well."
During the quarter it opened a Torpedo7 clearance store in Newmarket, Auckland, taking total store numbers to 12.
Group online sales rose 13 per cent to $45.6 million, with gains across The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery and Noel Leeming.
Online sales made up 6.6 per cent of group sales in the quarter, up from 6 per cent a year earlier, the company said.
Warehouse shares last traded at $2.12 and have dropped 18 per cent the past year. The stock is rated a 'sell', according to the mean estimate of four analysts compiled by Reuters.
