Christmas success for Dune and Office

Dune - which comprises the eponymous chain and the former Shoe Studio Group fascias - reported a 17.4% like-for-like sales uplift in the nine weeks to January 2, while rival Office notched up a 19% rise in like-for-likes for the six weeks to January 4.

Dune, which bought Shoe Studio out of administration in March, also reported total sales up 153% year on year in the same period.

Office recorded total sales up 30% to £28m. Sales at Office’s ecommerce business rocketed 80% over the period.

Dune executive chairman Daniel Rubin said the strong performance came from buying cheap stock from the administrator, gaining additional distribution for the Dune brand at department stores such as House of Fraser and Debenhams, and “a huge boot season”.

Other footwear players also fared well over Christmas. Stylo chairman and chief executive Michael Ziff declined to give trading figures but said that Barratts and Priceless had enjoyed strong sales. He said: “We have had an excellent four weeks [up to Christmas Eve].

I’m feeling better than last year but it is not a case of running away with things but keeping a close eye going forward.”