GfK Retail and Technology recorded a bumper sales growth within durable product sectors, including white goods and home electricals, in the week ending December 24.
According to GfK, sales of fridges grew 60% in volume and washing machines were up 40% compared with the same week in 2010. This trend was common across many product sectors, as retailers cut prices early to drive sales.

The figures also suggest that a few people may have received an iron or deep fat fryer for Christmas, with sales growing 17% and 14% respectively.

Home technology and electrical beauty appliances also performed well during the seven-day period.

GfK commercial director Anthony Norman said: "It certainly seems that many consumers used the last week before Christmas to shop for their presents but also to take advantage of discounts on big ticket items such as washing machines and televisions, having Christmas Eve on a Saturday will have also assisted in this sales growth."