Jan 10 - Department store group House of Fraser posted a strong rise in Christmas sales, defying the adverse weather which gripped much of the nation in December.

House of Fraser in Belfast (photo by Ardfern)

The privately-owned group said sales at stores open over a year rose 8.5 percent in the five weeks to January 8, with margins up 30 basis points on the same period last year.

The firm said online sales increased 120 percent and highlighted very strong sales of recently introduced House brands, Biba, Pied a Terre and Label Lab.

"I am confident that the business will deliver its plans for the remainder of the financial year, and we are well placed to continue to grow during 2011," said Chairman Don McCarthy.

House of Fraser's performance looks good when compared with rival Debenhams' 0.3 percent underlying sales rise for the 19 weeks to January 8, also reported on Monday.

(Reporting by James Davey, editing by Mark Potter)