Including Christmas sales increases for Primark, Ted Baker and Debenhams.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
Fashion chain Primark has reported an increase in sales of 7% for the 16 weeks to January 2. However, based on actual exchange rates sales grew 3%, attributed to the weakening of the Euro against Sterling. The retailer also revealed it is expecting to open a further six stores in the US this year.
John Lewis continues its good start to 2016, with sales climbing 15.6% for the week to January 9. The department store chain said that it recorded double digit growth every day apart from one during the period. Online sales, meanwhile, grew 25.8%.
Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason saw like for like sales rise 15% over the Christmas period. Revenues were boosted by a solid online performance, with sales up 38% year on year. The retailer enjoyed its best trading day ever on Tuesday December 15, with products being shipped to a record number of countries around the world in the run up to Christmas.
Like for like sales at Morrisons over the Christmas period bettered city expectations, edging up 0.2% for the nine weeks to January 3. The grocer also revealed that online sales almost doubled year on year, while the number of same store transactions rose 1.3%. However, total sales were down 1.2% and the retailer also said it has entered into consultation to close another seven stores.
Etailer Asos has posted double digit sales growth in the UK and overseas for the four months to December 31, 2015. In the UK, retail sales rose 25% to £206.2 million, while international sales grew 20% to £240.7 million.
Licensing Award winner Ted Baker enjoyed a 10.1% retail sales increase for the eight weeks to January 9. Online sales for the period also jumped by 39.1%.
Debenhams remains on track to deliver full year profits in line with market expectations, after reporting a 3.7% increase in like for like sales during the festive period. Online sales for the seven weeks to January 9 also grew by 15.4%. Click and collect also peaked at 46% during the pre-Christmas period, the retailer said.
