Myer warns federal election could hurt winter sales

Myer is concerned a winter federal election could dampen consumer spending and hurt its revenue during a key trading period.

Department store chain Myer has reported a lift in comparable store sales for the third quarter. (AAP)

Unseasonably warm weather and the federal election could dent Myer's sales and slow its turnaround.

Myer reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance on Thursday but chief executive Richard Umbers is worried the warm lead up to winter and July 2 election could hit sales during what is usually a busy trading season.

"Given it is a winter election, which is unusual, it lands in a very key trading period for us because typically the industry goes into the end-of-year stocktake sale," Mr Umbers told reporters.

"We believe we are well placed to deal with it but we are acknowledging the uncertainty and risks to sentiment."

He said it was hard to quantify what impact the election would have but typically people tended to not spend as much during times of uncertainty.

Mr Umbers said unseasonably warm autumn weather had already contributed to subdued sales of winter products in recent weeks.

Even so, he said Myer's third-quarter sales showed strong momentum and that shoppers were responding to the so-called New Myer transformation of stores.

The plan involves an ongoing overhaul of apparel brands, including introducing Veronika Maine and Industrie, while rolling out more Topshop Topman stores.

Myer's third-quarter sales rose 2.1 per cent to $675.5 million.

Comparable store sales jumped 3.4 per cent, surpassing analysts' expectations and beating FY15's 1.7 per cent third-quarter rise.

Myer reaffirmed the group's full-year guidance for net profit to be between $66 million and $72 million.

Investors were impressed, driving up the department store chain's share price by more than seven per cent on Thursday.

Myer also announced Michael Scott, who has 15 years of experience at major brands including McDonald's and Nike, will take on a newly created role of executive general manager brand and marketing.

Daniel Bracken's title has changed to chief merchandise and customer officer and as deputy chief executive.

Myer's shares were up 8.0 cents, or 7.11 per cent, at $1.205 at 1350 AEST.