John Lewis said warm weather and its new store in York propelled sales growth of 13% last week.

John Lewis said all categories reported double digit sales growth as the Easter holidays kicked off.

The department store generated revenue of £73.79m with all categories reporting double digit sales growth as the Easter holidays kicked off.

EHT sales were up 14.9%, powered by “outstanding” results in audio and gaming, buying and brand director Paula Nickolds said.

Sales in the home category increased 13.2%, driven by seasonal goods, outdoor, beds, lighting and textiles.

Fashion sales jumped 11.4%. Boyswear sales grew by 29% and girlswear by 21%. Own brand lines also did well.

John Lewis said shops benefited from school holiday trade with Newbury, Tamworth and High Wycombe taking the top spots.

Customer reaction to its York store, which opened last week, was “fantastic and sales were well ahead of expectations”.

Online sales soared 35.8%, with menswear, womenswear, sports and electricals doing particularly well.

Nickolds said: “Our Easter Weekend event will give real focus to our offer and with our operations and stocks in good shape, we are well placed to maximise trade during this important period.”

At sister retailer Waitrose, the Easter school holidays and sunshine also drove sales, which climbed 8.3%, excluding fuel.

Sales of baking goods at the upmarket grocer rose as kids took the kitchens.

Waitrose said the warm weather “gave shoppers the opportunity to enjoy some al fresco dining” with picnic foods performing particularly well.  

Gardening products also sold well, with horticultural sales up 17%.