Poor weather last week has lifted sales at John Lewis, which were up 9.3 per cent in the week to August 9.

The department store said that unsettled weather last week drove footfall to its stores, helping sales reach£48 million.

John Lewis head of selling development Barry Matheson said: “While the comparisons against us were softer than of late, that in no way detracted from the strength of the performance, given the extremely challenging trading conditions we are in.”

Waitrose faired less well, with only a 0.8 per cent rise in sales for the week. Commercial director Richard Hodgson said: “The appalling weather contrasted with a hot and dry week during 2007, making direct comparisons difficult.”