John Lewis Partnership’s total weekly sales continued to decline as customers avoided the shops to enjoy the last of the warm weather.

Waitrose & Partners’ weekly sales were down 0.4% during the week to August 31 compared with the same week the previous year.

Ambient and non-ambient food both registered a 0.2% uptick in sales during the period, bolstered by the sale of alcohol and BBQ food.

The grocer’s home and general merchandise total sales decreased 0.7%. 

John Lewis & Partners sales fell 7.2% during the week compared with the same period the previous year.

Despite an increase in schoolwear sales as parent prepared for the start of the new school term, total fashion sales fell 5.8%.

Electrical and home technology sales declined 2.8%. However, sales of large electrical goods increased 8.6% driven by cooking, which saw sales soar 29%.

The department stores home sales fell 14% during the same period but the warmer weather saw sales of barbeques up 40% and outdoor furniture up 20%.

John Lewis Partnership’s total sales for the week fell 3.1% to £207.96m.