NEW YORK, United States — British clothing retailer French Connection said on Tuesday it expects its sale process to be concluded by the end of the year, and reported a smaller first-half operating loss on growth in its wholesale business in the United States.

French Connection, once known for its provocative FCUK brand of clothes and accessories, said operating loss from continuing operations narrowed to £3.7 million ($4.59 million), compared with £5.5 million a year ago, and added that it was on track to meet full-year expectations.

By Tanishaa Nadkar; Editor: Saumyadeb Chakrabarty