The British Heart Foundation's figures show its retail arm bucked the high street Christmas slump, as the charity saw an increase in Christmas sales of nearly one-fifth.

In the five weeks leading up to Christmas Eve the charity reports a 17.3 per cent increase in retail sales. Last year’s figures show a £2.2m rise on 2010 figures making it the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) most profitable Christmas to date.

Mike Lucas, retail director for the BHF, pointed to consumer caution and the unstable economy as catalysts for the increase in sales.

“Our shops are providing a popular choice for shoppers keen to buy good quality items at low prices. The recession has seen a surge in people shopping with us – increasing sales dramatically,” he said.

BHF has now opened more than 700 shops, selling a total of 90,000 items every day. This includes over 130 second-hand furniture and electrical stores which reported an overall sales growth of 13.3 per cent over Christmas. Total profits for the year rose by 18 per cent to £26m and this year's target is to break the £30m mark.

BHFs strongest sales figures came through clothing, knitwear, handbags and shoes with sales increases of 29 per cent. Sofa and armchairs were the popular choice in the furniture and electrical stores with a 17 per cent increase.

According to the Office of National Statistics overall Christmas retail sales did increase by 2.6 per cent in 2011 but this was partially due to heavy discounting by stores.

Less stock available

While sales have increased in BHF stores, Lucas also expressed concerns regarding “keeping up with demand” as consumers are no longer regularly updating household goods and clothing and therefore donating less second hand items to charity shops. Last summer the charity launched a PR campaign appealing for donations to counteract clothes collectors who sell on for private profit.