(Corrects in fifth paragraph to 6 percent from 7 percent)
* Q3 sales slightly below forecasts
* CEO blames economy, tough year-on-year comparisons
(Adds details)
PARIS, Oct 20 (Reuters) - French retailer PPR, which owns the luxury brand Gucci, said on Tuesday it would continue to cut costs and boost competitiveness after posting lower third-quarter sales, slightly below forecasts.
Third-quarter revenue reached 4.56 billion euros ($6.8 billion), a drop of 7.6 percent year-on-year. Analysts had been expecting sales of 4.64 billion euros.
PPR Chief Executive Francois-Henri Pinault blamed the "lacklustre" macroeconomic environment as well as a high year-on-year comparison base across most divisions for the decline.
PPR would pursue previously-announced plans to reinforce its competitive edge and market positioning, the statement said.
Gucci brand like-for-like sales fell 6 percent in the third quarter, excluding timepieces, with wholesale orders suffering more than directly-operated stores.
The Gucci Group, which also includes Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint-Laurent, reported a 10 percent drop in like-for-like sales. Sportswear brand Puma had like-for-like sales down 9.8 percent.
Nearly all of PPR's non-luxury divisions, including home-improvement chain Conforama and mail-order company Redcats, reported like-for-like sales declines of nearly 10 percent.
Retail chain Fnac, which sells books, DVDs and records, was the one exception with a like-for-like increase of 0.5 percent.
PPR, which is controlled by the Pinault family, last year began a restructuring and cost-cutting plan to defend its operating margin in the face of falling sales.
It has not given any profit guidance for the year.
Shares of PPR closed up 0.1 percent at 85.17 euros before the statement. (Reporting by Lionel Laurent) ($1=.6678 Euro) (+33 1 49 49 56 85; Reuters messaging: lionel.laurent.reuters.com@reuters.net)