Department store Debenhams has announced that it had great sales over Black Friday and Christmas, as like-for-like figures increased 1.9% in the 19 weeks to 9th January, against the expectations of 0.3% expected by analysts and a 12% rise for online sales.
Other figures show that Debenhams was processing 220 orders a minute at its peak on Black Friday and online sales were up 20% year-on-year, with the high street benefiting as well with its bargain bonanza and sales being four times higher than the previous year.
The department store will look to improve its online delivery service, bring in more brands and cut down on promotions to try and reverse years of profit decline. Releasing its full year’s results to August 2015, pre-tax profits increased 3% for the first time since 2011 to £113.5million.
Products that performed well over the Christmas period were Star Wars, selling 70,000 items including 8,000 lightsabres. Also popular were fitness products, especially the Fit Bit products.
Outgoing chief executive of Debenhams, Michael Sharp, said: “We have enjoyed a record Christmas trading period including our best ever December and Christmas week.
"We are particularly pleased with our performance in beauty and gifts, where we delivered a good result in store, along with strong online sales supported by robust systems, an ever improving supply chain and an imaginative and joined up marketing campaign.”
