New Look “performed well” over Christmas as like-for-like sales increased 1.5% in the period.

The fashion retailer revealed total sales in the seven weeks to December 28 jumped 2.6% and total UK sales were up 2.9%.

Online sales surged 62% with a 48% sales increase across its own website. Click-and-collect accounted for a quarter of all orders.

New Look said its stronger full-price stance meant it increased gross margin in the period.

New Look chief executive Anders Kristiansen said: “New Look has performed well over this period. After a difficult start to the quarter, on account of an unseasonably warm October, trading returned to more normal levels. However, the festive trading window was smaller this year, with customers delaying purchases in order to seek out the best promotions before Christmas.

“In spite of the backdrop of extensive Christmas discounting across the high street, our stronger full-price sales performance ensured that we were able to protect our margin – a central component of our strategy – and we also saw our market share grow.

“We are optimistic about the year ahead but remain watchful of the pace of recovery in the UK economy and the continued pressures facing our customers.”