Briscoes Group says despite a difficult retail environment, it's had positive sales results. 

The owner of the Briscoe Homeware and Rebel Sport brands says sales reached $245.3 million in the three months to January – up 0.96% annually. 

Homeware sales went up 1.27%, and sporting goods rose 0.44%. 

Managing Director Rod Duke believes tough trading conditions will continue and be especially challenging in the first six months of this year. 

Duke told Mike Hosking he believes the second half will be better, hopefully driven by initiatives from the government. 

He says it will be marked seriously if nothing is seen by the end of March. 

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