Fuller Smith & Turner PLC has unveiled solid sales growth over the Christmas period.
Sales jumped 21.6% during the five-week Christmas and New Year period, “driven by a great performance from our pub and hotel teams”, the group reported on Thursday.
This festive boost built on strong trading over the rest of the year, Fuller's added, with sales in the 42 weeks to 20 January climbing by 11.5%.
“The business is in great shape,” chief executive Simon Emeny commented.
“While we continue to see the impact of a challenging economic environment, we are positive about the future and confident of meeting market expectations for the full year.”
Emeny explained that despite facing “significant” rises in the national living wage and business rates, the pub chain has plans in place to push future growth.
“These include a number of high profile, trade-enhancing investment schemes in our existing estate, which will ensure we continue to build on our current momentum,” he said.
Full-year results covering the 52 weeks to 30 March 2024 will be released on 13 June, the company added.
Shares climbed 0.9% to 692.42p.