Pretty Green enjoys strong Christmas sales growth

Liam Gallagher owns part of Pretty Green

The firm, which runs its own stores as well as concessions, said total sales including VAT had risen by 39 per cent in the six weeks to the end of December, compared with a year earlier. On a like-for-like basis, which strips out the impact of changes in selling space, takings were up by 33 per cent.

Gross margins were described as “strong”. Wholesale revenues were up 37 per cent and the forward order book for this year’s spring and summer seasons was 73 per cent up on the year before. International sales rose  12 per cent, the firm added.

Chief executive Richard Ralph said: “We are particularly pleased with our record performance over the Christmas period, but also for the whole first quarter of this financial year.

“We believe our results are testament to the strength of our brand both in the UK and Japan, where we already operate five stores.”

He added: “The Pretty Green team has been extremely busy and our expansion programme remains on track. In the first quarter, we opened two new London stores and announced the launch of six concessions in House of Fraser. We will continue to look to expand the brand during 2015, both in the UK and internationally.”

The group has also benefited from a strong online presence, with e-commerce sales jumping 41 per cent in the six-week period.

Other fashion names to have reported solid trading in the run-up to Christmas include Next and Ted Baker. However, Marks & Spencer suffered a fresh fall in sales at its non-food division, which includes clothing, while Bank Fashion became the first high street casualty of 2015.