• Like-for-likes rose 4.9% in five weeks to January 2
  • Total sales increased 15.7% year-on-year
  • Click-and-collect sales up 29.7%

The Entertainer had a strong Christmas trading performance as sales were driven by a 40% uplift in online revenues. 

The multichannel toy retailer’s like-for-like sales rose 4.9% in the five weeks to January 2. Total sales rose 15.7%. 

Click-and-collect sales jumped 29.3%, while its online arm Thetoyshop.com’s revenues jumped 40%.

The Entertainer’s founder and managing director Gary Grant said: “We’re delighted with this year’s results, particularly considering the late start to the consumer buying period.

“Faced with increased promotional pressure in the category, we held firm to our marketing plans and expect this to have a positive effect on our margin for the period.”

The Entertainer said that post-Christmas trade has been “strong” and will be aggressively expanding its store estate this year, with plans to open seven new stores over the next three months.