Ted Baker enjoys sales boom

TRENDY shirts and fashion group Ted Baker had a cracking Christmas, pushing sales ahead by almost 24% in the seven weeks to 24 December.

Founder and chief executive Ray Kelvin said that, unlike many retailers, the group had enjoyed strong demand throughout November and December.

Menswear did particularly well, with booming sales of its special Endurance suit, designed to withstand a hard night's partying. There was also a good performance in the US, where the group plans to open a fourth shop this year, in San Francisco.

Analysts raised their full-year forecasts for the group from £13.2m to £13.8m, against £11.8m the previous year.