Customer demand for fur-trimmed ranges have helped New Look drive strong sales in the run-up to Christmas. The fashion retailer reported total UK sales for the 14 weeks to January 1 up 18.8 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 11.6 per cent.

The company said strong customer demand for fake fur, mini-skirts, denim and rhinestone-studded ranges boosted sales. After a successful launch, New Look plans to extend its menswear ranges from 14 to 30 stores and is also planning to extend its fashion ranges to cater for children under nine.

Expansion plans call for larger stores, with the largest New Look store to date scheduled to open at the Metro Centre in Gateshead. There are also plans for a revamp of the flagship Oxford Street store, launched in August 2003.