Alexon revealed that post-Christmas trading lifted performance and that profits for the 52 weeks to January 26 are expected to be no lower than £12.5 million.

Last month, the fashion retailer was forced to issue a profit warning as like-for-like sales fell 7 per cent in the 18 weeks to December 1.

Alexon said that, although trading before Christmas had remained tough, trading after Christmas “has proved to be better than expected and gross margins have remained strong”.

Alexon also said that stock levels across the group, which runs Bay Trading, Alex & Co and Ann Harvey, were lower than last year and the retailer is confident that it will end the year with terminal stocks well under control.