"Given continued very disappointing footfall, and despite significant cost efficiencies being achieved, we are today entering into a consultation with store colleagues to consider closing our 20 stores ahead of lease expiry," N Brown said.

The company, whose brands target women aged 30 and above and those of a larger frame, said it expects to take exceptional costs of 18 million pounds ($24 million) to 22 million pounds if it decided to close all 20 stores.

The company, however, stuck to its full-year expectations.

(Reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Sunil Nair)