Fortnum & Mason told the Telegraph that the weak pound and “frugality fatigue” had contributed to a spending spree at the store at Christmas.
Fortnum & Mason chief executive Beverley Aspinall said that the store had an “amazing” December as tourists flocked to take advantage of the weak pound, comparisons with a poor 2008 and a willingness to spend among shoppers.
She said: “People are more confident to spend, although whether they are better off or not is arguable. There may be an element of frugality fatigue. But in my wildest dreams I did not think we would do 10% this year.”
Fortnum & Mason, which is famous for it hampers, decided to axe its most expensive £5,000 hamper for Christmas this year and focused on cheaper variations.
Aspinall said that 2010 would be tough but that confidence would rise over the year.
Meanwhile, high-end jewellers Boodles and Astley Clarke also reported strong Christmas sales. Boodles, which has stores in London, Liverpool, Chester, Manchester and Dublin, saw sales grow 23% in December and online jeweller Astley Clarke said sales and average transaction prices rose in 2009.
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