Sales hit £93.8 million for the week
John Lewis will have its best Christmas on record, with sales up 11 per cent compared with last year, in the 20 weeks up to December 25.

Sales were up 10.3 per cent for the week ending December 16, reaching a new record of£93.8 million.

John Lewis managing director Charlie Mayfield said: 'We have been up against the best trading weeks from last year and beaten every one of them.'

According to the retailer, every buying directorate and branch was up on last year and 15 branches revealed record sales.

The department store also unveiled record sales in cashmere, jewellery sold well and beauty sales were strong - with the new beauty room in the south well at Oxford Street proving to be a big hit.

Sales of men's brands were excellent, as were toys. Furniture and electrical sales remained robust, with gift-related areas revealing strong sales growth.

John Lewis director of retail operations Gareth Thomas said: 'We are up 10 per cent on last year for the week so far and£4.5 million ahead of last year. John Lewis Direct has done fantastically well to double last year's sales for this week already.'