John Lewis sales were down 0.8% for the week to May 28 as the bad weather hit and the department store chain was up against tough comparisons on the previous year with World Cup sales.

Some stores were down over 10% including Bluewater in Kent, Newcastle, Cribbs Causeway and Norwich.

Some shops fared better including Peter Jones, which benefited from shoppers out in force around the Chelsea Flower Show. Oxford Street was also up slightly, at 0.3%.

Homewares produced the best result with cooking and dining up 9.7%. Home accessories and gifts were up 13%.

Fashion reported a slight decrease on last year, as sales of high summer lines were impacted by the weather.

Sister grocer Waitrose reported sales up 7.3% for the week. It said with the colder weather, shoppers turned to comfort foods, and many bought flowers perhaps tying in with Chelsea Flower Show.

Sales of hot pies were up 30%, fresh pasta up 20% and pizza up 25%.

This week Waitrose will launch Heston from Waitrose ice cream flavoured with mustard, the first commercially available savoury ice cream. It is designed to be eaten with soups and cold meats.

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