Sales at John Lewis department store stalled last week as the retailer lost momentum in its technology and home categories.

The department store retailer said sales fell 0.7% year on year in the seven days to February 17.

Its electricals and home technology category, which has been a reliable growth driver this year, fell 1.5% last week, despite “strong sales” of TVs, coffee machines and vacuum cleaners.

Meanwhile, home sales declined 3.7%.

However, fashion performed well, with sales climbing 3.3%. The retailer put this down to Valentine’s Day and the launch of a Charlotte Tilbury shop-in-shop at its Oxford Street flagship.

Waitrose

Sales at upmarket grocer Waitrose rose 3.6% year on year, driven by increased demand for wine and prepared meals.

Festive favourites such as confectionery, flowers and beauty delivered sales increases of 15%, 10% and 5% respectively.

Across the partnership, sales crept up 1.9% to £207.3m.

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