Department store House of Fraser has reported an increase in sales aided by a surge in online demand as it prepares the company for a stock market listing.
The chain said like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to December 28 increased 4.3 per cent. Online sales in the final three weeks increased 57.7 per cent while gross margins across the two months improved by 140 basis points, it said.
Beauty was the leading performer online with sales rising 77 per cent in the three weeks.
The 61-store department store chain has emerged as one of the best performing retailers to release figures so far since Christmas alongside John Lewis. Debenhams said earlier this week that online sales were 'lower than anticipated' and blamed weak clothing sales as it warned profits in the first half will drop 26 per cent to £85 million.
House of Fraser chief executive John King said: 'We are delighted with our Christmas trading and are pleased to report another record performance despite a more competitive environment.'
He said: 'November trading was strong, in terms of both sales and margin growth, with a similar promotional programme [as last year]. As we expected, the peak Christmas trading came late, however it was the best we have ever recorded.'
He added: 'We remain clearly differentiated with our leading branded fashion offer representing approximately two thirds of our sales.'
Online sales now account for about 15 per cent of the chain's total.
The company, which is preparing for an IPO later this year, said it has merged its defined benefit pension schemes into a single new scheme.
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