Britain's third largest department store group Debenhams Plc said today that like-for-like sales in the 20 weeks to January 13 had increased by 5.9% and in the key six weeks before Christmas by 7%.
Gross margins had held at the previous year's levels.
'We achieved record sales in the final weeks before Christmas with particularly strong performances in clothing and gifts,' a statement from the company said. It said its post-Christmas discount sales had been hurt initially by bad weather but had picked up over the last 12 days.
