Books chain Foyles has revealed its like-for-likes jumped 9 per cent in the year to June 30, 2008.

Total sales climbed 12 per cent to£20.2 million in the period, while it reduced its net operating loss from£743,000 to£194,000 in the period. The figure includes non-recurring costs, such as redundancy.

Like for like sales for the first six months of this current financial year were up 1 per cent.

In a statement the retailer, which operates four stores in the London area, said that a “noticeable tailing off towards the end of November and the early part of December was more than offset by exceptionally strong trading in the days leading up to Christmas”.

Foyles’ chief executive Sam Husain said: ”I am very pleased with the final result for the financial year to 30th June 2008 as it is close to plan and, notwithstanding the current challenging economic conditions, remain confident about the future trading and steady growth prospects for the Company.”