Toy retailer Hamleys has reported record Christmas trading, with like-for-like sales up 11.6% in the six week period to January 2, 2010 compared with the same period the previous year.

For the nine months to the end of December 2009 like-for-like sales were up 7.2% on 2008. Coupled with cost benefits from a restructuring programme completed in 2009, Hamley’s EBITDA increased by 42.8% over the comparable period last year.

Hamleys’ chief executive Gudjon Reynisson said: “The Christmas sales figures were very strong, with our flagship store in Regent Street having its best Christmas on record, and we are also very pleased with the strong performance in our new flagship store in the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow where sales significantly exceeded our expectations.”

Reynisson also pointed to international sales growth, with sales at Hamleys’ franchise store in Dubai up 54% on a like-for-like basis, which he said “demonstrated the strength of the Hamleys brand internationally and the significant potential in our international business”.

Hamleys celebrates its 250th birthday next month and at the same time will open its first Indian and third international store with franchise partner Reliance Retail in Mumbai.