Seasonal sales boom for fashion chain

The Leeds-based company, which sells a mixture of branded and own-brand clothing, said total sales for the period climbed 23.6 per cent to 51.2m.

Internet sales also showed strong growth, rising by 38.8 per cent over the eight week period.

On a two-year basis, sales rose 46.6 per cent and like-for-like sales increased by 16.7 per cent.

Margins were also ahead and Republic said its sale would end this Sunday, a week earlier than last year.

Republic said that full year sales to January 31 would finish at in excess of 200m and EBITDA would be in excess of 30m.

Chief executive Tim Whitworth said: "Without doubt, our Christmas trading performance capped another successful and record-breaking year for Republic."