Surf and ski fashion retailer Fat Face posted a 42 per cent rise in pre-tax profits, before goodwill, to £2.9 million on sales 30 per cent ahead to £28 million in the 26 weeks to November 27.

In the five weeks to January 1, total sales were up 42 per cent and menswear sold particularly well.

Fat Face plans up to 20 new stores in the next year, when it will break the 100-shop barrier. Consideration of Fat Face’s future strategic options, including a potential IPO, is ‘still at an early stage’, said chief executive Louise Barnes.