John Lewis reports record week

Sales at John Lewis in the week to December 5 were £102.4m, 13.8% up on the same week last year.

The figure also represents a 6% rise on the equivalent week in 2007, when figures were not skewed by the turbulent conditions in 2008.

Records were smashed in areas including gifts and home entertainment and online arm johnlewis.com reported its highest sales for one week.

John Lewis said that this week is the earliest time in the Christmas season that the department store recorded a figure in excess of £100m.

John Lewis added that branches across the country revealed that shoppers, who have bought furnishings and furniture in advance of entertaining guests, are buying gifts and preparing for a family Christmas at home.

John Lewis listed home entertainment, electronics and traditional games as key sellers during the week.

Toys also reported a record-breaking week, with sales of over £4m.

Nat Wakely, director of selling operations for John Lewis said: “This has been a superb record week. Partners in all our branches have worked extremely hard to ensure that customers have the best possible Christmas shopping experience at John Lewis and that they find the innovative quality products they are looking for at the lowest prices underpinned by our Never Knowingly Undersold promise.

“With Christmas shopping seriously under way there is a clear trend for an indulgent family Christmas. It has been many years since we saw such strong sales in chocolates, candles and slippers.”