Cornish lifestyle brand Seasalt continues to prosper with the retailer reporting a big jump in sales for the festive season, despite it having to deal with major pressures on costs.

Its total sales, including stores, online, and partners such as M&S, Next and Zalando, were up a healthy 10% year on year in the final five weeks of 2024. In fact, each of those channels saw new records over the period.

Marketplace sales led the way with a 46% leap, while e-commerce sales rose 6%. Store revenues rose a lower 3% but still beat the wider market that has so far looked sluggish (although Next this week showed it too, was a winner during the Christmas period).

The company is predicting a double-digit sales rise for the year to 1 February.

Seasalt has 76 UK stores and CEO Paul Hayes said its strength in the festive season was “in spite of” weak footfall and tough economic conditions in the UK.

He expects “significant” cost pressures in the next few months as a result of the tax hikes announced in the Budget in October.

As well as bucking the predominant UK trend, Seasalt has been looking abroad for its growth, including a partnership with Nordstrom in the US and opening its first US store, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, last September.

With 12% of sales coming from abroad in the year to date (and 10% in the festive period), the company is planning to open at least two more US stores soon and will continue with its opening programme on both sides of the Atlantic this year. There are plans for 20 new stores over three years. It will also further develop its strategic partnerships.