John Lewis sales jumped 9.8% to £59m last week, despite the snow, which “completed an impressive year”, managing director of the department store Andy Street said.

Street said last week’s result was “highly respectable” taking into account that parts of the UK affected by snow and some customers were unable to visit stores. This resulted in flat sales across its shops but the retailer said its online business picked up some of those sales, finishing the year 44% up.

Street said its omnichannel strategy was “encouraging” as the retailer delivered “strong growth” across online and physical stores in the year.

“For Johnlewis.com it’s been a simply sparkling year of growth,” he said.

Street also praised the buying teams for “trading powerfully” in their respective markets and for showing “ingenuity and style”.

He added: “Overall, 2012/13 must be seen as a team success, as every area of John Lewis has combined to deliver these sales. Thank you for a job well done. We enter the new year with great momentum, and equally great spring products.”

Waitrose, John Lewis’ sister supermarket chain, generated an 11.3% sales surge to £111m, excluding petrol, in an “astounding” performance last week said managing director Mark Price.

The total drove its half-year sales up, totaling 8.2% in the 26 weeks to January 26 as the retailer has attracted new customers into stores and existing customers are buying more items.

Online has also helped drive Waitrose’s performance, generating a soaring 47.4% rise in the half year.

Price thanked staff across the business for the “impressive growth”.

Waitrose said last week sales of whisky and haggis were up 27% and 14% respectively in celebration of Burns Night. Meanwhile, sales of confectionary and biscuits were up 13% and 29% respectively as the post Christmas detoxes started to fade.

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