Freemans said it witnessed “exceptional growth” across all departments in the run-up to Christmas, despite overall retail sales in its fourth quarter slipping 0.3%.

The digital department store delivered a 12% jump in sales in the four weeks to Christmas and a 9% increase in the 12 weeks to January 2.

Home sales were up 16% in the period, which Freemans said was driven by the “big night in” consumer trend.

Fashion sales rose 3% and customer numbers jumped 10% over the 12 weeks.

Freemans chief executive Ann Steer said: “The so-called golden quarter has shone very brightly for Freemans. We have seen exceptional growth across every department, even against a background of decreased consumer spending, with the momentum we have created clearly continuing.

“The results are a testament to everyone in the business who has been willing to adapt, think and act in an agile way and focus relentlessly on giving our customers, old and new, their very best shopping experience.

“Our brand partnerships continue apace with more big names to be unveiled for 2026 and we will continue to listen, act and deliver for all our customers through this new year and beyond.”

It emerged last month that Freemans’ owner, Otto Group, was soliciting buyer interest to take on the digital department store. One industry source told Retail Week that Debenhams and Frasers Group were among those to have looked at Freemans.

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