John Lewis and Waitrose both produced strong performances in the week of their annual results announcement.

In the week to 13 March, John Lewis sales grew 18.1%, with all branches except Aberdeen in positive territory. Bluewater led the way with a 31.8% increase, and online sales were up 42%. 16 branches were up on their 2008 sales levels.

The week’s sales were helped by the timing of Mothers’ Day, and fashion sales were more than double last year’s. The home assortment experienced a 20% sales increase with kitchens and bedroom furniture particularly strong.

Waitrose was up 15.6%, less than the same week’s increase last year but an improvement on the 12.1% achieved over the first six weeks of its new financial year. Mothers’ Day again proved the driver, with flowers and chocolates unsurprisingly doing well.

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