Card Factory has reported a like-for-like sales increase of 1.8% over an 11-month period, and says it achieved “solid” Christmas trading.

Card Factory's like-for-likes jump 1.8% over the 11 months ending December 31 2014.

For the period ending December 31, Card Factory’s revenue jumped 8.1%.

That growth is in line with the group’s expectations and is similar to last year’s rise of 8.9% over the same period.

Card Factory bosses said this was driven by the boost in like-for-likes, particularly during a “solid” Christmas trading period for the retailer.

Localised pricing strategies, growth in the retailer’s online operation and new store rollout also contributed to the figures.

Card Factory opened 51 net new stores during the period, bringing its total estate to 764 stores by the end of 2014.

Richard Hayes, Card Factory’s chief executive, said: “With only a few days of our financial year remaining, it is pleasing to report that the group continues to perform well, has had a solid Christmas trading period, and is on course to deliver sales growth at a similar level to the previous year.

“The strength of our retail proposition is the key to our consistent performance and we are well placed to further improve our customer offer in the year ahead. 

“This is underpinned by our established vertically integrated model which has been developed over the past decade with significant investment.

“As the clear market leader, we remain confident of our ability to achieve further profitable growth.”