DISCOUNT retailer T J Hughes has unveiled an improved Christmas trading performance despite being hit by adverse weather conditions.

The group, which has the majority of its outlets in the north of England including Blackburn and a recently-opened store in Colne, said like-for-like sales for the six weeks to January 6 were ahead by 2.8 per cent.

Including the impact of new store openings, sales within the department store chain were ahead by more than 21 per cent.

Chief executive George Foster believed the like-for-like growth could have been stronger if it was not for the weather. Snow in the week after Christmas, particularly in the Midlands and North West, is thought to have reduced the sales figure by at least 2 per cent.

TJ Hughes, which this year hopes to take its number of outlets to 40, said comparisons with 1999 also needed to take account for the effect of a pre-Millennium boost to sales last time.

Sales for the 23 weeks to January 6 were up by 22 per cent overall and by 3.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

The company employs around 2,500 staff.