DEPARTMENT store groups House of Fraser and Selfridges enjoyed significant sales growth over the festive season.

At House of Fraser, like-for-like sales rose 7.2 per cent in the seven weeks to January 5.

And Selfridges said a strong Christmas performance had helped to offset the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on its business.

Sales across Selfridges' stores in London and Manchester rose by eight per cent in the six weeks to January 5.

At House of Fraser, Christmas and New Year sales were 9.6 per cent up on the previous year.

The group runs 51 stores across the UK, including Binns in Darlington, and spent close to £20m on revamping its outlet in Oxford Street, London, in 2000, where sales were up 60 per cent in the 23 weeks to last Saturday. Sales across the group in the same period rose by 10.5 per cent.