Christmas hamper specialist Park Group has reduced its pre-tax losses by 17 per cent to £3.2 million in the six months to September 30.

Orders for Christmas this year are up 15 per cent, with the average order value also up 5 per cent to£374.

Revenues were up to£32.3 million for the period, from£31.3 million for the same period last year.

The group said its total cash balance peaked this year at£124 million, up from£95.8 million the year before.

Park Group chairman Peter Johnson said: “The second half of the year has started well and revenues are significantly ahead of the same time last year. With management’s continued focus on innovative marketing, customer service and efficiency, coupled with cost savings from increased use of the internet.”

Park Group is now approaching its second Christmas since the high profile collapse of its rival Farepak, which had a negative impact on the retailer’s sales and customer’s trust in Christmas savings schemes.