Independent department stores have been battered in recent years with multiple business going under. But as January reports of Christmas retail performances continue, one business entering the winners’ enclosure is Sandersons Boutique Department Stores.

Despite a challenging economic environment, the indie chain said it enjoyed “strong” trading in November and December, seeing two-month retail sales growing from £564,000 in 2016 to almost £7 million in 2023. Christmas shopping sales rose 5% year-on-year across the retailer’s three bricks and mortar stores and online.

Founded in Sheffield in 2016, Sandersons also has stores in Stroud, the Cotswolds, and in Morpeth in Northumberland, “proving there is still very much an appetite for shopping luxury brands in a boutique store setting”, it said.

Sandersons Boutique co-founder Mark Dransfield added: “We are really pleased with the Christmas sales and footfall figures across the group.

“Internet sales have grown significantly, with the bestselling products carrying discounts. Whilst footfall has maintained in our bricks and mortar stores, we have seen a slight reduction in spend. That said, we still find that some shoppers are buying big-ticket items and there is an appetite for the luxury end of the market.

“In response to this we’ve just launched our collaboration with Xupes, to sell pre-loved handbags from Louis Vuitton to Chanel, Hermès and Gucci. These are real investment pieces and the response has been fantastic to this new range in our Sheffield store.”

As well as Xupes, the stores also introduced Weekend Max Mara and Marella to womenswear during 2023, with Hackett and Boss joining the men’s fashion line-up.