Sport and housewares retailer Briscoe Group has reported a third consecutive quarter of positive sales growth."We actually came out of Christmas pretty buoyant, and the very very early part of the calendar year actually started quite well," group managing director Rod Duke said, referring to the company's first quarter ended January."But it seemed to us, just the moment this Iran thing blew up, so did the customers' propensity to spend suddenly slowed and slowed dramatically. But you know, we seem to have we seem to have pulled through it with this second quarter number."Briscoe Group's second quarter sales for the period ended July rose just a quarter of a percent (0.25 percent) to $193.4 million, amid still challenging economic conditions, with first half sales up about 0.8 percent.First half sales and outlook2nd quarter group sales $193.4 million, +0.25%1st half group sales $374.2m, +0.79%1st half group online sales growth, +2.07%, +$1.5 million1st half online sales mix 19.6% vs 19.36% last yearNew rewards system launched for Rebel Sport ClubFirst half net profit after tax expected to be not less than $27m vs $29.3m year earlierDuke said sporting goods sales benefited from a number of significant sporting events and successes during the period, including the FIFA World Cup, Auckland FC's A-League triumph, the Warriors' strong NRL campaign and the All Blacks' successful home programme in the Nations Championship."Rebel, and the sporting industries had a pretty good time," Duke said.However, he said homeware sales fell 2.17 percent, reflecting lower-than-expected demand for heating products due to a milder start to winter, weaker luggage sales as geopolitical tensions affected travel activity, and ongoing pressure on discretionary consumer spending in general."Our online business continues to perform well with group online sales increasing 2.07 percent, representing first-half growth of $1.5 million," he said."During the half we also launched the next iteration of our Rebel Club loyalty scheme, introducing a new rewards system to drive frequency and transaction value, deepen customer engagement and improve personalisation."Duke said first half profitability would be affected by some one-time costs associated with the transition to the new distribution centre."With the new distribution centre now operational, Rebel Club launched... we continue to invest for the long term."He said the outlook for the rest of the financial year would depend on the situation in the Middle East."If this Middle East thing finishes and petroleum and gasoline returns to where it should be, then I think that'll give a great deal of confidence to our customers out there."But whilst that hangs over and the petrol price fluctuates wildly, then you're going to get this uncertainty."