In an interim management statement released this morning, the group said that while total sales for the 13 weeks to 31 October were up 3% on last year, "rising input costs, combined with volatility in demand, are increasing pressure on margins".
Painting a mixed picture of the current environment for the industry, the London Stock Exchange listed company said that point-of-sale demand continues to be buoyant but the outdoor media market is subject to short notice cancellations.
"Overall the economic outlook remains uncertain," the statement said.
St Ives also maintained that its continued strategy of cross-selling products within its group partially mitigated the effects of the volume fluctuations.
Volatility in demand 'increasing pressure on margins' at St Ives
Volatile conditions in the magazine sector are putting margins under pressure at print giant St Ives, the company has said.
