Gloucestershire-based The Cotswold Company saw sales soar ahead of Christmas.

The retailer, based in Stow-on-the-Wold, saw orders increase by 13% to £16.4m in the nine weeks to December 31, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Sales for the period were up 64% on pre-Covid results.

The Cotswold Company attributed the rising sales to its ongoing investment in both online and retail showrooms.

While the online channel represents 80% of sales, in-stores sales were up by 19%, boosted by an 11% rise in footfall.

The retailer said shoppers were moving away from 'throwaway' furniture and investing in quality products which are made to last.

The Cotswold Company opened its first store in Bourton-on-the-Water over 25 years ago. It opened its ninth UK store in Bath last month.