Having posted a 16.6 per cent boost in sales when compared with the same period last year, GAME beat off all comers in a top five that also included Comet and House of Fraser.

Grant Thornton’s report states that despite some doom-and-gloom predictions, 78 per cent of UK retailers reported a like-for-like sales increase over the 2006 Christmas period, an impressive performance after the 66 per cent that posted a sales increase for Christmas 2005.

Department stores were the highest performers, closely followed by entertainment retailers. “The entertainment sector was particularly bolstered by a 16.6 per cent increase experienced by The GAME Group, which was also the strongest performance reported by and individual retailer,” says the report.

“There has been a stark contrast between those retailers who got it right this Christmas and those who got it wrong,” continues the report. “Much of this success can be attributed to careful planning which ensured that stock levels and ranges were optimally balanced and that profit margins were maximised. This allowed the majority of retailers to hold their nerve right up until Christmas, ensuring the bulk of promotional discounting occurred after December 25th.”

Meanwhile GAME customers have been given the chance to vote for the retailer’s 2006 Awards. Voting is open now until January 30th, and allows consumers to vote for the 2006 People’s Choice, Game of the Year, Best Portable Game, Best Multiplayer Game, Best Hardware and several more. Take a look here.