Fortnum & Mason has published its results for the financial year ending in July 2017, revealing a 17 per cent uplift in online sales and a fifth successive year of double-digit sales growth overall.

Total sales were up 14 per cent to £113 million at the high-end department store retailer, while profits increased by 23 per cent to £7.6 million. The company delivered products to more than 120 countries worldwide over the course of the year, and opened a new outlet in South Korea, with three more planned to open in the country in 2018.

Fortnum’s said it has also invested significantly in the future over the past year, with the launch of a new apprenticeship scheme that has 25 people already in position. A total of 49 new full-time posts have also been created, and £7 million has been invested in infrastructure.

Ewan Venters, CEO of Fortnum and Mason, commented: “We are now anticipating a busy and successful Christmas period. In times of uncertainty, customers turn to brands they trust and we have noticed an upsurge in the sales of traditional products recently.

“For example, this Christmas we are seeing a 60 per cent rise in the sales of advent calendars, priced between £6.95 and £125. I am pleased that we are able to fulfil our remit to be the traditional home of Christmas, while not losing sight of our restless quest to innovate and remain relevant to customers from home and abroad.”

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