Value fashion group Peacocks reported “cracking” Christmas trading, boosted by the success of Pearl Lowe for Peacocks dresses.

The retailer posted an 8% rise in like-for-like sales in the eight weeks to January 2, peaking at 17% in December and early January. Total sales rose 13%.

Peacocks chief executive Richard Kirk said: “Peacocks has enjoyed a cracking Christmas as customers decided they were going to celebrate after a year of doom and gloom.”

Kirk said he was “delighted” with the success of Lowe’s product. He said that the singer-turned-designer’s dresses “have flown out of the stores”.

Peacocks reported that it had enhanced margins and controlled stock well.

The retailer said that online sales rose 70% in the period and that the etail division’s profits also rose.

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