Card Factory said that group sales rose 5.5% in the six months to July 31, when like-for-like sales advanced 1.5%. The retailer described performance as “robust in a challenging consumer environment”.

The retailer said it had opened 26 net new UK stores and about 50 will have opened in this country and the Republic of Ireland over the full year. It also reported “encouraging progress on a number of business development and efficiency initiatives” such as selling through Aldi branches.