New personnel chief appointed
Sales at John Lewis department stores ended on a high note in the final week of Clearance, with total revenue up 16.9 per cent to£49.97 million for the week ending January 13.

Online sales rocketed 88.5 per cent. However, gales and torrential rain took the edge off high street trading on Thursday and Friday, but the rest of the week produced double-digit percentage increases.

At the group's supermarket chain, Waitrose, total revenue increased 9.6 per cent to£69.16 million. Strong sales of salads, oily fish and organic products kicked off the new year with a healthy start.

Promotional offers did well and the weather helped sales of roasting joints, with the Easy range performing very well.

Turnover at the John Lewis Partnership rose 12.5 per cent to£119.4 million.

Also today, JLP has appointed Tracey Killen to the board as director of personnel. Killen is presently personnel director at John Lewis and a member of the John Lewis divisional board. She succeeds Andy Street, following his appointment as managing director at John Lewis.

And Tony Solomons has also been appointed to the newly created post of customer development director at Waitrose, with effect from January 29. He is presently supply chain director at Waitrose and a member of the board.