The retailer posted a 3.5% increase in total sales in the year to April 26, while like for likes inched up 0.7% in the year to March 22, before stores were forced to close. 

In the week to March 22 – the final seven days before the lockdown was enforced by Boris Johnson – The Works sales rocketed 81% amid customer demand for “products to support children’s ongoing education, mindfulness materials to support mental health and products to beat the boredom during this period of social distancing”.

The Works shuttered all of its 534 physical stores on March 23 but said it has experienced “strong demand” online. Ecommerce sales have surged to more than three times last year’s levels.