John Lewis said sales increased 2% to £83.8m in the week to June 3 as the hot weather encouraged customers to update their summer wardrobe.

Last week’s warm spell helped boost the department store’s summer clothing sales by 40%. Total fashion sales rose by 12.% while beauty enjoyed a 13.1% hike, both largely driven by a price match promotion. Women’s footwear sales soared by 31.5%.

It was a different picture for electrical and home technology as sales slipped 5%. However, small electricals reported a 2.6% rise thanks to shoppers buying fans to help cool down during the warmer weather.

Home sales fell 1.8%, although outdoor living jumped 16%, with outdoor furniture rising 10.4% and barbecue sales up 43%.

Waitrose sales

For sister retailer Waitrose, sales edged up 1.2% to £129.53m as the good weather over the bank holiday and early part of the week lured in customers. 

“Our food to go range performed well with overall sales growing by 16% as customers took to al fresco dining,” said Waitrose retail director Ben Stimson. “Salad and sandwich sales were both up by more than 15% and snacking fruit sales increased by more than 31%.”

Stimson said that despite there being some strong promotional activity in the equivalent week last year, beers, wine and spirits sales still performed well with sales of sparkling wine up 21%, speciality beer up 24%, Pimms increasing 55% and Aperol recording a 70% increase.