British luxury brand Burberry Group plc highlighted a rebound in Chinese demand as it beat forecasts with a nine per cent revenue rise after a particularly strong week in the run up to Christmas.

Latest figures showed double-digit underlying sales growth for Hong Kong and China

Shares in the 157-year-old seller of raincoats and leather goods, known for its camel, red and black check pattern, rose more than four per cent after it said revenue in the three months to December 31 reached £613 million.

That topped analysts’ average forecast of £602 million, according to a company poll.

Last September Burberry sent shock waves through the global luxury industry by warning of a broad-based slowdown in spending – particularly in China, which had been the driving force of a boom in demand for luxury goods.

But it had already calmed investors with subsequent statements, saying for instance that sales had steadied in the final weeks of its second quarter.

Its latest figures showed double-digit underlying sales growth for Hong Kong and China in the third quarter, a significant jump from “marginally positive” growth in the second quarter.

“The better performance in China ... was we believe driven in part by an improvement in wider consumer sentiment, but also (by) self-help measures,” said chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright.

Cartwright noted staff had focused on ensuring more store visitors departed with purchases and on cross-selling products, such as persuading a customer to buy a belt to match a new handbag.

She said Burberry remained confident about the outlook for China.

“We think all of the economic indicators continue to point to very nice growth out of that market and particularly within the luxury sector for the years ahead,” she said.