FatFace sales rise above pre-pandemic levels

High street fashion chain FatFace is back on track after sales rise above pre-pandemic levels

High street fashion chain FatFace is back on track after sales rose above pre-pandemic levels. 

Sales over the five-week festive period to January 1 rose 3 per cent compared with the same period in 2019. 

That represented a 22 per cent rise on last year when many of its shops were forced to lockdown in December. 

The performance was buoyed by demand at its online shop where sales increased 62 per cent on 2019. 

Back on track: Sales over the five-week festive period to January 1 rose 3 per cent compared with the same period in 2019

Chief executive Will Crumbie said the company, which has 180 shops, is ‘on track and momentum is with us’. 

He added: ‘I’m delighted to be reporting an excellent set of Christmas trading results. 

‘Our focus on digital transformation supported by a highly productive store estate drove positive growth across the business with profitability returning to more normalised levels.’ 

Sales in the six months to November 27 increased 4 per cent to £125million, the company said. It said 38 per cent of its sales were online versus 25 per cent two years ago. 

During the year, FatFace began selling on the Marks & Spencer website as part of the retailer’s strategy of selling third-party brands. 

It also launched its first baby collection, which means its kids-wear range now spans newborns to 13-year-olds.

It said its cotton is now being sourced from sustainable sources, part of its environmental targets for 2025.