Post Christmas sales numbers have provided the High Street with a boost going into the New Year, according to the BDO Sales Tracker.

The week ending January 3rd showed total sales up by 10.5 per cent. Non-fashion jumped by 6.8 per cent, the best result for the sector since mid-October. Big gains were made in most categories, with luxury posting the strongest results.

Fashion, meanwhile, grew by 13.1 per cent, although broadly flat rates were reported across homewares (up one per cent).

Multi-channel sales continued to race ahead, helped by the colder weather, the New Year sales and good product availability.

"Although growth in non fashion and homewares was more modest, sales were still up on last year, which was an excellent outcome given the very strong prior year comparisons," said Don Williams, head of retail at BDO.

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"Across mid market High Street chains, sales grew by 4.2 per cent on a like for like basis during the key five week period to January 3rd 2010."