Some of the biggest names on the high street have revealed how they fared over Christmas.

The crucial festive trading period is the most important part of the year for retailers, with a huge chunk of their annual sales in the run-up to Christmas Day.

Yesterday (January 12) was 'Super Thursday', when the 'big beasts' of the high street revealed how successful the festive period was for them.

Here's a rundown of what they reported.

Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer has ended the long-running slump in sales at is clothing arm with its best Christmas performance for six years.

The retailer said like-for-like clothing sales were up by 2.3% in the 13 weeks to 31 December. This time last year clothing sales had slumped by nearly 6%.

Like-for-like sales at its food arm were up by 0.6%.

Marks and Spencer at Cheshire Oaks

JD Sports

Retailer JD Sports Fashion added to the Christmas cheer across the high street as it said annual profits would beat forecasts after 'exceptional' trading.

The chain said it had maintained like-for-like sales growth at around 10% in its second half so far to January 7.

Debenhams

Debenhams was sitting pretty after a growth surge in its beauty and gift sections boosted sales over the Christmas period.

The department store chain said group like-for-like sales rose 3.5% in the 18 weeks to January 7, with non-clothing now accounting for 57% of total sales.

Online sales were also pushing higher, jumping 13.9% over the period, thanks in part to a sales boost from a 'successful Black Friday'.

Tesco on Sealand Road, Chester

Tesco

Tesco has emerged as a festive winner after reporting a rise in sales over the crucial Christmas trading period.

The supermarket giant said UK like-for-like sales in the six weeks to January 7 rose by 0.7%, helped by strong consumer demand for fresh food.

Tesco also notched up a 1.8% rise in third quarter sales, marking a year of continuous growth as its recovery under boss Dave Lewis continues.

Primark

Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) said sales at the retailer have jumped by more than fifth thanks to a boost from the Brexit-hit pound.

The fashion retailer saw sales at actual exchange rates leap 22% compared with last year as it also benefited from a 16% increase in selling space in the 16 weeks to January 7.

Like-for-like sales for the period were good and market share had stepped up, but group like-for-like sales were pegged back by a drop-off in Germany and the Netherlands.

Primark store at Broughton Shopping Park
Primark store at Broughton Shopping Park

Mothercare

Baby goods retailer has reported a 1% jump in like-for-like sales in the last quarter, driven by online sales.

John Lewis Partnership and Waitrose

Total sales at JLP rose 4.9pc in the six weeks to December 31, hitting £1.9bn.

Waitrose sales (excluding fuel) climbed 4.8pc, and 2.8pc on a like-for-like basis, while John Lewis sales rose by similar amounts - up 4.9pc on a total basis and 2.7pc on like-for-likes.