MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Online apparel seller Boohoo Group lifted its forecast for full-year sales growth after a strong Christmas season, offering a measure of relief to an embattled UK retail sector.

Boohoo lifted its growth forecast for the year to a range of 43 percent to 45 percent from a range of 38 percent to 43 percent. Sales for the four months through December 31 were up 44 percent.

Key Insights

Boohoo’s results allay some concerns that the crisis in U.K. retail was spreading to online shopping, after a pre-Christmas profit warning from rival Asos.

Boohoo’s growth has been led by popular brands PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal, each of which saw revenue growth of more than 70 percent. The company has been adept at digital marketing through social media like Instagram.

The company said global opportunities are significant. Boohoo has tapped former Primark Stores executive John Lyttle, who’s set to become Boohoo’s new chief executive in March.

Market Reaction

Boohoo’s stock fell 14 percent in 2018.

By Ellen Milligan; editor: Eric Pfanner.