The Manchester-based company said revenues at its core Experian credit checking business jumped by 16% in the three months to March compared with the same period last year, while sales at its chain of Argos catalogue stores rose by 8%.

Sales at its chain of Homebase DIY stores, which it bought from venture capital firm Permira last year in a �900m ($1.4bn) deal, climbed by a more moderate 3% in the four months to June.

Argos' sales were boosted by strong demand for home electronics and mobile phones, while growth at Homebase was fuelled by British consumers' traditional splurge on home improvements during the Easter holiday.

Experian, meanwhile, cashed in on strong demand for credit checks from mortgage lenders in the US, where low interest rates have boosted the number of consumers taking out home loans.

Nervous investors

GUS received a further boost from an 18% jump in sales at Burberry, the luxury goods chain in which it retains a 77% stake after a partial flotation last summer.

But the company warned that it might struggle to maintain its current levels of sales growth in the months ahead.

"We believe that GUS is in good shape to continue to deliver growth going forward, although perhaps not at the rate of the first quarter," said GUS group chief executive John Peace.

GUS has earned plaudits as one of the retail sector's strongest players in recent months, with profits climbing 16% to �642m in the most recent financial year.

GUS shares were down 8p at 697p in early trade on Wednesday.