HIGH street retailer Boots beat market expectations with a 4.1 per cent rise in like-for-like sales over the Christmas season.

The health and beauty chain said it had learned lessons from last year by increasing its range of beauty products and fragrances while offering more promotions on "big ticket" items.

Its festive performance marked the sixth consecutive quarter that its core Boots The Chemist chain had delivered good growth in sales. Total sales growth, including store openings, was 5.2 per cent in the three months to December 31.

The trading update comes a day after the group announced it would axe 900 jobs as part of cost-cutting plans.

Richard Baker, chief executive, said: "The actions we have undertaken over the last few days underline our determination to build a modern, efficient and competitive Boots The Chemists."

Boots said retail sales had risen despite tough comparatives with Christmas 2002, when it reported like-for-like growth of 7.5 per cent.

Opening hours were extended and managers were freed to serve customers on the shop floor as the group returned to "retailing basics".