Sales up 19.2 per cent on last year
Cooler weather and strong autumn ranges helped keep sales at John Lewis ahead of last year.

Across the group, 19 stores reported double-digit increases, with the Trafford branch securing the second-best growth behind a confident posting from the group's Direct arm, which posted a like-for-like sales increase of 93.4 per cent.

The group said it had seen improvements across all buying directorates. Electricals continued to be the best performing division, up 32.4 per cent. There was also significant interest in furnishings and back-to-school ranges.

In adult fashions, both men's and women's clothing benefited from larger transitional ranges. In womenswear, the biggest increases came from own brand, with JL separates and swimwear all selling well.

Total sales at John Lewis were up 19.2 per cent against the same period last year. John Lewis supply chain director Patrick Lewis said: 'As if a 19 per cent increase wasn't good enough, we started this week with a cracking 40 per cent increase on Sunday.'

Sales at the group's supermarket chain Waitrose hit£67 million - 10.3 per cent ahead of last year and just short of target.

The supermarket chain said that, during the week of wetter weather, demand for deli soft fruit and salads had dropped, but sales of roasting joints, soups and vegetables had increased.

Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner said that the business had a 'stunning week'.