New Look has reported a 1.5% increase in UK like-for-like sales, after seeing a strong full price sales performance over the winter holidays.
The fashion retailer’s total UK sales rose 2.9% in the seven weeks to 28 December 2013, while total sales across the New Look Group had increased by 2.6%.
Online sales also surged 62%, with a 48% sales increase attributed to the click-and-collect service, which accounted for a quarter of all orders.
Commenting on the Christmas trading, New Look chief executive Anders Kristiansen said: “New Look has performed well over this period. After a difficult start to the quarter, on account of an unseasonably warm October, trading returned to more normal levels. However, the festive trading window was smaller this year, with customers delaying purchases in order to seek out the best promotions before Christmas.
“In spite of the backdrop of extensive Christmas discounting across the High Street, our stronger full price sales performance ensured that we were able to protect our margin - a central component of our strategy - and we also saw our market share grow.
“We are optimistic about the year ahead but remain watchful of the pace of recovery in the UK economy and the continued pressures facing our customers.”
