John Lewis had a bumper week of sales bolstered by promotional activity in fashion and strong electricals and beauty performances.

The department store retailer reported a 6.2% rise in sales year on year to £83.7m in the week to August 26.

Fashion sales increased 12.8% as the retailer engaged in price-matching a competitor’s promotional event. Womenswear and menswear categories delivered double-digit growth and women’s accessories grew 11.4%.

Sales across beauty, well-being and leisure categories spiked 22%, bolstered by beauty counter sales.

Electricals and home technology sales were up 8.2%, driven by 20.4% and 20.9% jumps in vision and communication tech respectively.

Home sales dipped 2.3% overall despite an 11% rise in barbecue sales as shoppers prepared to monopolise on the bank holiday’s clement weather.

Stablemate Waitrose reported a 1.4% dip in sales to £128.5m during the period against tough comparatives – a half-price event and significant marketing activity was running the previous year.

Alcoholic beverages such as beer and rosé wine as well as picnic staples such as prepared salad bowls and packs of rolls all sold well.

Across the Partnership, sales increased 1.5% to £212.3m.