Early sales up 38% as Fortnums expects Christmas cracker
By MICHAEL LANE
Fortnum & Mason is anticipating an “unprecedented” Christmas trading period with sales of festive products up 38% year-on-year and footfall rising.
In a trading update, the Piccadilly retailer reported that sales of its best-selling St James Christmas Pudding are up 161% on last year, while sales of its improved Christmas tea blend are up 233%.
Two of Fortnum’s in-store events – Christmas Wine Tasting and Christmas Yule Log Decorating – have already sold out and it said there was a long waiting list for returned tickets.
The retailer added that sales of Jubilee lines, such pistachio and clotted cream biscuits, have remained buoyant.
CEO Ewan Venters, recruited from Selfridges in July, said: “The trend for tradition is strong with Christmas pudding and Christmas cake selling very well. Closely followed by all things ‘London’, buses, taxis and crowns.”
