Online fashion firm Boohoo has shown its high street rivals a clean pair of heels after revealing a 44 per cent surge in sales and upping its annual sales outlook.
The group, which also owns the PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal brands, reported total group revenues of £328.2 million for the final four months of 2018, up from £228.2m a year earlier.
In the UK - its largest market - revenues rose 33% to £180m.
It comes in stark contrast to high street rivals, which endured a tough November in the run-up to the festive season when the weather was unusually warm.
Marks & Spencer last week said it saw like-for-like clothing and home sales drop 2.4% over the 13 weeks to December 29.
Burnley-based Boohoo joint chief executives Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane said they were "delighted" with the results for the festive period.
Games Workshop hit another record level of profit and sales in the first half, despite a slowdown in growth.
The Warhammer maker said sales were up 14% in the six months to December 2 at £125.2m, boosted by improved performance in retail and trade divisions.
Pre-tax profits were 7% higher at £40.8m.
The growth rate was slower than the same time last year, when half-year sales grew by more than 50% and profits more than doubled.
Chief executive Kevin Rountree said trading in the Christmas period was in line with the first half.
"Our business and the Warhammer Hobby continue to be in great shape," he said.
"We have remained true to our long-term strategy, and once again delivered on our promise to produce and sell the best fantasy miniatures in the world, while engaging and inspiring our fans. We continue to strive to make the Warhammer hobby ever better. Exciting times."
Scotland among those to fare worst
Recruitment firm Hays posted solid international fee growth in the second quarter, but its UK arm continues to be held back by Brexit uncertainty.
The firm saw like for like fees in Germany jump 15% in the quarter ending December 31, while rest of the world income shot up 10%. International overall was up 11%.
This was in contrast to the UK, where Hays recorded just a 3% rise in comparable sales, citing "economic uncertainties".
Scotland and the South East fared worst, with fee income down 15% and 8% respectively.
Brexit uncertainty has dragged on recruitment in the UK as many firms put hiring decisions on hold until a clearer picture of trade relations emerge.
Alistair Cox, of Hays said: "While activity levels at the start of the New Year will be an important driver of the group's second half performance, and we remain mindful of macroeconomic conditions, the outlook is good across most international markets.
"We continue to invest in key structural growth markets like Germany, the USA and Asia, capitalising on the clear opportunities we are seeing. Our diverse and balanced global business, together with our highly experienced management teams, mean we look to the future with confidence."
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