Waitrose sales received a boost from celebrations for the Rugby World Cup final and Halloween last week as sales of spirits jumped 16.5%.

John Lewis weekly sales to October 31

John Lewis weekly sales to October 31

John Lewis weekly sales to October 31

Shoppers hosting parties at homes during the events resulted in gin and whisky sales both up 36%. Ale sales increased 15%.

Popular food items, in the week to October 31, included sweet potatoes, which were up 37.4%, and organic potatoes, up 22%, as people made warming winter dishes, Waitrose said.

Total sales at the grocer in the week rose 1.4%.

At its sister retailer, John Lewis, customers got into the Christmas spirit as online searches for advent calendars jumped 219%.

Overall online sales at the department store group rose 19.7%, driven by fashion, up 32.8%. Online womenswear sales climbed 43.2%.

Total fashion sales increased 10.4%, while home sales rose 4.6% and electricals revenue climbed 2.8%.

Total John Lewis sales in the week increased 5.6%.

Across the John Lewis Partnership sales in the week rose 3.2% year-on-year to £224.05m.