// Overall Christmas sales up 12%
// 83% of customers at iconic Piccadilly flagship were local Brits
// 12% surge in global customers
Fortnum & Mason has enjoyed a record-breaking Christmas trading period, with the luxury retailer posting double-digit sales growth across all its channels.
The heritage department store said it recorded 12 per cent year-on-year growth during the five-week period ending December 31, boosted by what it said was an “ever-increasing” number of domestic shoppers as well as a 16 per cent uptick in overseas customers.
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The hospitality department was Fortnum & Mason’s star performer, thanks to 15 per cent year-on-year growth.
Meanwhile, the iconic Piccadilly flagship store achieved 10 per cent growth, of which 83 per cent of the total sales came from domestic customers.
Fortnum & Mason added that the new restaurant and store that it opened at The Royal Exchange in November delivered an “outstanding performance”.
It said that in the week prior to Christmas, the City-based outlet recorded the highest weekly sales across all stores outside of Piccadilly.
Meanwhile, online sales represented 37 per cent of total sales at Christmas and overall, the final week prior to Christmas saw more than 23 per cent growth.
“We’re thrilled at the growth in sales across all channels,” Fortnum & Mason chief executive Ewan Venters said.
“Whether it’s champagne, truffles, caviar or tea and biscuits; our results are evidence that there is demand for quality products and unique experience.
“The exceptional performance of our restaurants clearly show experience is key.
“We’re incredibly proud that despite the uncertain economic times, our customers, too, have demonstrated their social responsibility, with our support of StreetSmart delivering a total donation of £53,939.”
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