Christmas cards sales provided a boost at the back end of the year for Card Factory, which this morning reported a 10.2% increase in year-on-year sales.
The retailer posted profits for the eleven months ending December 31 of £476.9million, up from £432.6million in the year prior.
In store like-for-like (LFL) revenue grew 8.2%, while LFL sales of everyday and seasonal cards (+5.4%) and like-for-like sales in gifts and celebration essentials ranges (+9.9%) saw handsome rises.
The company was boosted by a strong Christmas trading performance as LFL in store revenue improved 7.8% in November and December.
Online sales took a 12.8% hit in online LFL sales in the 11 months to the end of the year, a small improvement (+0.2%) from the half year.
Darcy Willson-Rymer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are pleased to have delivered a strong performance over the Christmas period, further demonstrating the progress we are making on our strategic growth initiatives.
"Our value and quality proposition continues to resonate with customers at a time when value for money is as important as ever.
"Even during challenging times, consumers want to celebrate key life moments and this was reflected in the positive performance that we saw in the Christmas trading period and throughout the year to date."
"Colleagues across all areas of our business have worked incredibly hard to deliver an improved experience for our customers this year.
"As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering against our growth strategy by helping our customers to affordably celebrate all life's moments."
FTSE
The UK's flagship share index, the FTSE 100, was down 33-points at 7,561 shortly after opening this morning.
Brent crude oil futures were down 0.01% today, trading at $78.14 a barrel.
Companies reporting today
- Experian - Q3 trading statement
- InegraFin - Q1 trading statement
- Ninety One - Q3 assets under management statement
- Ocado Group - Q4 trading statement
- QinetiQ - Q3 trading statement