Matalan, which is based in Skelmersdale, west Lancashire, and has more than 150 stores, said that, for the five weeks to 11 January, like-for-like sales rose 1% compared with 13.1% in the previous year.

BBC: Mixed fortunes for UK retailers

For the January to March quarter, like-for-like food sales were up 2.5% compared with a year ago, while non-food sales rose 1.9%.

BBC: UK retail sales in March hit by cold weather

The effect is already showing: Sephora's like-for-like sales are growing by 11% a year, compared with around 3.5% for cosmetics sales in department stores.

ECONOMIST: Selling make-up