Despite high-profile problems that afflicted some store groups, evidence mounted that sales may have been better than anticipated for many and margins kept in check.
The grocers were the biggest winners. Iceland chief executive Malcolm Walker said: 'In the four weeks to December 29 2005, [like-for-like] growth was 16 per cent. This year, on top of such a strong performance, we are well into double figures again.' The view was echoed by Somerfield director of strategy and business development Oliver Meakin, who revealed that sales had been very strong on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas.
Tesco slashed prices on DVDs, CDs and games on December 27 and sold 1 million DVDs in five days as a result - a figure that the retailer said had helped double its entertainment market share year on year.
For fashion retailers, a late Christmas rush and a strong start to the Sales helped level out a disastrous December.
One young-fashion director said: 'Sales were up 9 per cent from December 1 to January 2. Margins are stronger than last year and profitability is up. The Sale was interesting - people bought new lines, not discounted stock, so we've still got stuff to clear.'
Another fashion retailer said: 'The success of the Sale came as a bit of a shock to us. It has had a negative effect on margin, but we were determined not to be caught with stock.'
Peacock Group chief executive Richard Kirk also said post-Christmas week trade had been brisk.
The Sales have also proved fruitful for department store operators. Selfridges started on Boxing Day with what it said was a till-busting three-hour rush.
John Lewis's strong performance continued after Christmas, when it took£77 million - an 8.2 per cent increase on 2005 - between December 27 and this Tuesday. 'We took more money on the first day of clearance than we have ever taken before and, at£18.3 million, this was 10 per cent ahead of the first day last year,' said director of retail operations Gareth Thomas.
However, the optimistic mood was contradicted by 104-store Music Zone's collapse into administration on Wednesday. The retailer operates from 104 stores, employing 1,100 staff and turns over about£115 million a year.
Figures from FootFall also painted a gloomy picture, showing that shopper numbers fell 6.8 per cent against 2005 between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
Quoted companies will update over the next few weeks.
'Christmas Eve was weak, but everybody expected it to be because you could only trade from 10am to 4pm.' Richard Kirk, Peacock Group
'Our record-breaking Christmas success is the culmination of a great year in all our stores.' Paul Kelly, Selfridges
'It was fantastic - off the clock. In December 2005 [like-for-like growth] was 16 per cent. This year... we are well into double figures again.' Malcolm Walker, Iceland
'We took more money on the first day of clearance than we have ever taken before. It was 10 per cent ahead of last year' Gareth Thomas, John Lewis
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