For San Francisco readers keeping up-to-date on the latest style news, we are pleased to provide this story/excerpt from The London Guardian.

Luxury scarves and exclusive beauty products have boosted sales at Liberty, which said today that it had beaten expectations in December, almost matching its record Christmas in 2007.

However, the Regent Street department store is not immune from the economic downturn and has been ordering designer bags ranging from £250 to £400, rather than £400 to £500 as before.

Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, chief executive, admitted that this year was going to be “tough” for Liberty, as for other retailers. “We can only weather the storm by being smart, fast and offering what people want.” Customers were looking for products that were “luxury and accessible in price” at the same time, he said.

Sales of fashion have been strong in December, especially Liberty of London scarves, as well as beauty products including the Le Labo fragrance range and perfumes by Frédéric Malle.

The slide of the pound has brought an influx of foreign tourists to London’s West End, although De la Bourdonnaye said this was by no means the only factor. He said Liberty also benefited from a loyal clientele of fashion-conscious men and women who work in Soho or Mayfair.

Trade was also boosted by an earlier start to the clearance sale. The store started its sale, with discounts of up to 75%, in mid-December, rather than the traditional Boxing Day because of a major renovation later this month. The revamp, which will see two-thirds of the building redesigned, will be finished in time for Valentine’s Day on 14 February. Women’s fashion will be expanded from one floor to two.

Liberty, which is listed on the junior Aim exchange, posted sales for the first 10 months of the year ahead of the previous year. While November’s trading reflected the general retail slowdown, sales in December were strong.

Its new shoe department, which opened six months ago, has also done well. “It’s a very good omen for the renaissance project,” said De la Bourdonnaye, referring to the revamp of the store.

Liberty’s newly launched website exceeded expectations and showed “significant growth” in December. However, its new outlet in Sloane Street – the only other branch apart from the Regent Street store – has seen slower than anticipated sales. “It will pick up. We’re learning fast and adding more lines,” said De la Bourdonnaye.

Liberty’s parent company, the Marylebone Warwick Balfour property group, reported firm trading at its Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotel chains. Occupancy was kept at 79% and room rates averaged £115 last year, with food and drink revenues slightly down.

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