 Debenhams |
The retailer, which trades from 167 stores in Britain, Ireland and Denmark, and about 60 franchised outlets in 23 countries, said on Monday sales at stores open over a year increased 0.3 percent including VAT sales tax in the 19 weeks to January 8.
That compares with analysts' forecasts in a range of up 1 percent to down 5 percent, according to a Reuters poll, and flat like-for-like sales in the previous 12-month period.
The firm said December's adverse weather impacted like-for-like sales by 2.5-3.0 percent.
It said gross transaction value increased 4.2 percent over the period, with gross margin ahead of the previous year and market share won in men's, children's and women's clothing.
Like most retailers Debenhams is cautious about the strength of consumer sentiment in 2011.
"Despite this, we have a clear strategy of self-help initiatives which focus on gross margin management, driving market share and growth through expansion and investment which we believe will enable Debenhams to continue to make progress over the coming months," said Chief Executive Rob Templeman.
Shares in Debenhams closed Friday at 74.2 pence, valuing the business at about 955 million pounds.
(Reporting by James Davey, editing by Rhys Jones)