The greetings card and gifting specialist said like-for-like sales since reopening were down 22% year on year. That compared with a forecast drop of 50% during the first month of reopening.

Card Factory said that while the number of transactions made through its shops had fallen compared with 2019 levels, average spend had jumped 25%. 

The group’s online sales have also soared amid the coronavirus pandemic. Like for likes through its Cardfactory.co.uk and Gettingpersonal.co.uk websites are up a combined 69% in its financial year to date.