Christmas trading

It was a difficult Christmas for many in fashion retail – but as January's trading updates have shown, there were winners too, says Tamara Sender Ceron, associate director of fashion retail at research firm Mintel.

Primark reported a 7.3% rise in sales to £3.4bn for the 16 weeks to 6 January year on year, driven by strong Christmas trading.

The fashion retail sector saw December sales fall by 6.1% compared to the same month in 2022, led by plummeting in-store trade.

Drapers is delighted to announce the winner of the 2023 independents Christmas windows competition is womenswear boutique Jane Young in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.

We hope you enjoy a relaxing festive break, and a happy new year.

Three in five UK shoppers are expected to spend less this Christmas than last year, a new survey shows.

From Lidl's Christmas jumper rental service with By Rotation to Shein's Christmas bus tour, Drapers takes a look at retailers' festive initiatives.

Luxury department store Harrods has tapped into the festive season by unveiling Christmas-themed window decorations at its Knightsbridge flagship.

This year, John Lewis Partnership's much-anticipated Christmas advert celebrates festive family traditions and how they develop over time – with the help of a snappy new character.

The retailer's Christmas campaign, titled "We Are The Party", has launched in store along with new category, Flannels Home.