David Jones enjoys Q1 sales lift of 2.2%

Department store owner David Jones Ltd says its first quarter sales have increased by 2.2 per cent and that it is well prepared for the all important Christmas trading period as consumer confidence recovers.

Total sales for the three months to October 24 were $452.1 million, up from $442.3 million in the previous corresponding period.

After excluding the redevelopment of its Bourke Street store in Melbourne and the temporary closure of the Clarement store in Perth for refurbishment, sales were up 4.5 per cent.

On a like-for-like basis sales were up 1.9 per cent, excluding the Bourke Street store.

"Our better than expected trading ... is a good sign for our business as we enter the all important Christmas trading period, especially given we will be cycling the worst trading conditions we have experienced in more than 20 years," chief executive Mark McInnes said.

"We are well prepared to capitalise on the natural opportunities that arise for our department store business at Christmas given we are a major gift buying destination offering items ranging from Chanel No.5 perfume to iPods to Lego."