Garden centre operator Dobbies has hailed a strong festive trading performance helped by record sales of real Christmas trees.
In an update, the Midlothian-headquartered firm which runs 40 sites throughout the UK, said like-for-like sales were 8 per cent higher year-on-year and 1 per cent above the level achieved in 2016.
Total sales for the six weeks to 30 December amounted to £24.1 million, up 21 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Footfall was 6 per cent higher, year-on-year, while the group notched up record restaurant sales.