Gross sales at John Lewis & Partners fell 2.3% to £1.13bn year on year and were down 2% like for like in the seven weeks to January 4.

At Waitrose & Partners gross sales, excluding fuel, were down 1.3% to just over £1bn – a result of shop closures – but up 0.4% like for like.

Parent John Lewis Partnership, which is restructuring ahead of the arrival of new chair Sharon White next month, also said department stores managing director  Nickolds will leave next month.