Aug 22 (Reuters) - Mr Price Group Ltd MRPJ.J :
* TRADING UPDATE TO 22 AUGUST 2019
* RECORDED GROWTH IN RETAIL SALES AND OTHER INCOME OF 1.1% TO R7.5BN DURING 18 WEEKS TO 3 AUGUST 2019
* DURING 18 WEEKS TO 3 AUGUST TOTAL RETAIL SALES, INCLUDING SALES TO FRANCHISEES, OF R6.9BN WERE 0.5% HIGHER
* GROUP WINTER INVENTORY WAS CLEARED TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS BY END OF PERIOD
* "EARLY SIGNS OF A PERFORMANCE RECOVERY INTO SPRING AND SUMMER HAVE STARTED TO EMERGE"
* SEES TRADING ENVIRONMENT TO BE CHALLENGING AS GLOBAL MARKETS REMAIN UNCERTAIN & LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IS FORECAST TO BE MUTED IN 2019
* GROUP RETAIL SALES IN LAST TWO WEEKS OF 18 WEEKS TO 3 AUGUST GREW 3.6%