Department store John Lewis has returned to form in the week to February 9, posting a 5.8 per cent increase in sales to £45.1 million.

The strong performance follows a slower 2.2 per cent sales increase in the previous week.

John Lewis’s star performer was fashion, which posted double-digit growth in both mens- and womenswear.

John Lewis retail operations director Patrick Lewis said: “New stock is finding favour, with solid gains across branded houses an own-brand ranges also hitting the mark.”

John Lewis Partnership stablemate Waitrose delivered a 6.9 per cent uplift in sales to£76.2 million over the week.

Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “A fine and bright week boosted sales and was a stark contrast against this time last year which heralded heavy snow.”

Separately, John Lewis is poised to break into the burgeoning US$330 billion Indian retail market by opening department stores there.

John Lewis eyes India