Ted Baker and Uniqlo enjoy sales surge

Clothing chains Ted Baker and Uniqlo today proved they were still in fashion as shoppers flocked to the stores, sending sales soaring.

Shares in Ted Baker rose five per cent to 530p after the designer brand said takings in November and December were 19.1 per cent higher than last year.

Ray Kelvin, the chain's founder and chief executive, said trading "exceeded expectations in a very competitive environment" and that the positive trend continued into the new year.

Although Mr Kelvin admitted the outlook for this year was still uncertain, he said: "Our collections continue to be positively received by our customers, and the brand is well positioned to benefit when growth in consumer demand returns."

The firm said "strong" demand from bargain-hunters in the post-Christmas sales meant it expected to clear all of its old stock this season.

Uniqlo enjoyed a 40 per cent rise in global sales, helped by the popularity of designer Jil Sander's +J collection and a range of best-selling Heattech thermal vests. The cheaper fashion chain's Japanese parent company, Fast Retailing, said it took 263.46 billion yen (£1.78 billion) during the three months to December.

Pre-tax profit at Uniqlo, which has 14 stores in and around London, hit 34.85 billion yen during the quarter, up 57 per cent from a year before. As a result, Fast Retailing hiked its forecast for full-year profit by nine per cent.