LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in Creighton lost a quarter of their value after it said lower consumer spending and high input costs pushed the beauty products supplier into losses and forced it to increase borrowing.

The Peterborough-based company, whose subsidiaries include the Real Shaving Company and the Haircare Studio, said its financial position had deteriorated since the last balance sheet was published at the end of March.

“Sales in the first four months of this financial year (to 31 July) have been lower than for the same period in the previous year as a result of a significant weakening of consumer off-take, and demand by the company's main customers is down on the same period in the previous year,” Creightons said.

“The company is also experiencing serious price pressures from suppliers, although the board is striving to mitigate this wherever possible by seeking to pass on higher prices and reducing non-essential overhead costs.”

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