David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes says the next 12 months for the retail sector will be difficult, but consumer confidence appears to be returning.

The up-market department store chain last month sharply upgraded its expectations for fiscal 2009 second half earnings and annual earnings.

Mr McInnes said on Sunday that sales had picked up in May and June on the back of federal government’s fiscal stimulus payouts and more normal trading in the equities market.
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