John Lewis is to double the size of its click-and-collect operation by adding an extra 60 Waitrose branches to its network of stores at which customers can pick up goods.

Today shoppers can collect at 29 Waitrose stores. The additional 60 stores will take the total number of collection points to 119 and will deepen the department store’s presence in parts of the country where it does not have penetration.

The Waitrose collection points will be added throughout next month and October.

John Lewis’ multichannel operation is the fastest growing part of the business and is becoming increasingly important as the retailer’s sales have suffered a decline this year.

Only its Oxford Street, Cambridge and Sloane Square branches reported a sales rise in the six months to July 30. However, its online business has soared 27% over that time, with click-and-collect growing at an even faster rate.