Figure against strong comparables
Sales at the John Lewis Partnership this week were 10.3 per cent up on the same period last year with spring and summer ranges at its department stores 'starting to build momentum'.

The£122.4 million revenue for the first seven weeks of the Partnership's year came against a strong performance over the same period in 2006 when sales were up 18 per cent.

John Lewis supply chain director Patrick Lewis said that the continued strong performance of the retail side of the partnership had been helped by Mother's Day coming a week earlier than last year with five stores recording sales growth of more than 15 per cent.

He added that the recent warm spell of weather had led to 'menswear, shorts and polo shirts being in demand, and even swimwear has started to build momentum. Outdoor furniture is running at three times last year's level and picnicware has generated a lot of interest. One of our new own-brand ranges has already sold 750 units after only three days on display'.

Womenswear was 17.4 per cent ahead of the same week last year with purses, handbags and nightwear all selling well.

Lewis said that the early signs for Easter in two weeks time were 'promising, with our key categories running a third ahead of the like-for-like weeks last year. As long as we keep the snow at bay, we should build on that for another good week's growth'.

Waitrose benefited from St Patrick's Day and 'a big sporting weekend' to post a 12 per cent increase in sales on the same week in 2006.

Total sales for the seven weeks of its year to date were£74.3 million.