MILAN, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Italian clothing retailer Stefanel (STEP.MI) saw sales rise in December compared with the previous year and winter sales are also doing better, its chairman and chief executive said on Monday.

Stefanel advertising campaign 2009

"We registered rising sales in December compared to 2007," Giuseppe Stefanel said in comments to Reuters.

The group is also present in airport retailing through The Nuance Group.

Stefanel said the winter sales period, which began at the start of January, was also going well.

"The positive trend also continued in January. Sales went better than last year and at the moment there are no relative indications showing an inversion of the trend shortly."

(Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)