JD Group has forecast that its full-year earnings will be ahead of market expectations as it posted stellar Christmas sales figures.

Group like-for-like sales for the eight weeks to January 5 were up 9.3 per cent. Like-for-likes at the JD Sports division rose 8.8 per cent, while its fashion fascias – excluding Bank, which it acquired last month – were up 16 per cent.

In the 49 weeks to the same date, like-for-likes rose 11.4 per cent. The sports fascias were up 11.6 per cent and fashion fascias climbed 7.8 per cent.

JD reported that group gross margin improved in the first half compared with the same period last year. It also said that the rate of growth has improved further in the second half so far.

JD Group executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: "The current trading period has been a very good one for the group, which has seen a further and substantial uplift in our performance as a result of both the strategy adopted by the board following my return to the group as chairman in 2004 and of a lot of hard work by all our employees over the past three years."

The retailer has announced plans for a share buy-back prior to the announcement of the full-year results for the year to February 2.

It will make its preliminary results announcement for the financial year on April 17.

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