Iconic department store Fortnum and Mason has posted record Christmas sales, thanks to British shoppers who helped boost its sales over the crucial trading period.
In the five weeks to December 31, the 300-year-old retailer recorded a like-for-like sales jump of 13 per cent.
The retailer said it enjoyed growth in all three of its London stores at Piccadilly, Heathrow Airport and St Pancras International, combined with a 23 per cent year-on-year online sales increase.
Fortnum & Mason, which holds a Royal warrant, said the recent Christmas results also builds on last year’s soaring figures.
“Of course we are pleased by the continuing growth across all channels but we take great pride in the fact that at a time when the high street is under pressure, our stores, restaurants, bars and quality products are being enjoyed by our domestic customers more than ever,” chief executive Ewan Venters said.
Whereas most of its luxury department store peers continue to attract more sales from international tourists, especially at Selfridges and Harrods, Fortnum and Mason said 77 per cent of December sales at its flagship Piccadilly store were from domestic customers.
“This tells us that the high quality of customer experience we deliver in-store, and for which Fortnum’s is justly famous, is a big attraction for our customers, and is of course a reason to shop with us all year round,” Venters said.
