Joules posts Christmas sales rise as online grows

Joules reported retail sales up 11.7% year on year in the seven weeks to January 6, when ecommerce accounted for almost half of the total.

Online success reflected the performance both of Joules’ own digital channels sales through concession partners’ websites, and showed “appeal of the Joules brand as well as the strength of the group’s integrated and flexible ‘total retail’ model”.

Joules chief executive Colin Porter said: “I am pleased to update on a continued strong retail performance for Joules through the important festive trading period, which represents an improvement from the retail sales growth in the first half of the year.

“This good growth was achieved despite the ongoing backdrop of challenging sector trading conditions.

“The group’s performance was again underpinned by the strength of the Joules brand, our growing and loyal customer base, and the flexibility of our ‘total retail’ model which continues to enable Joules to adapt to changing customer shopping behaviours.”

The retailer will issue first-half results later this month.