Garden centre group Dobbies has posted a Christmas sales rise after consumers snapped up traditional seasonal products.

The 25-store retailer, owned by Tesco, reported a like-for-like advance of 5.8% in the five weeks to January 3. Online turnover climbed 22%.

Trees, poinsettias, wreaths and cinnamon-scented pine cones were among the festive best-sellers, said Dobbies chief executive James Barnes.

He said: “Our customers made a return to a much more traditional Christmas.”

Dobbies’ restaurants, which account for 20% of sales, generated a like-for-like uplift of 3.5% and foodhall sales were 2.8% up.

Food hampers, along with children’s board games, were among the top performers online.