Festive trading climb begins
Half-term and Halloween helped boost John Lewis department store sales 15.8 per cent to£57.2 million for the week to October 28, indicating an impressive climb in the build-up to the festive season.

Overall sales across the partnership were up 13.7 per cent to£126.7 million.

Toy departments had their first big test in the run-up to Christmas, with a 9 per cent increase in sales. Increased footfall also helped to lift revenue by 10 per cent in all stores, compared to the previous week and online sales advanced 65.5 per cent.

Electronics and home technology fared best. Sales of TVs rose again in response to strong marketing support, fitted kitchens were up 50 per cent and large electricals maintained record levels of trade. John Lewis's own-brand range proved exceptionally popular, according to supply chain director Patrick Lewis.

Both textile and furniture showed increases in sales, with a seven-day delivery offer helping this figure to rise and lighting is well ahead of last year.

Within clothing, menswear just got the better of womenswear with shoes and warmer accessories building sales momentum in response to the autumnal weather.

Lewis said: 'We now expect a steady increase in trade every week for the next seven weeks to hit our peak. With the added additional lift from our seasonal marketing over the next fortnight, we've every reason to believe that we'll be kept at full stretch.'

The equivalent figure for Waitrose was a 12.3 per cent increase for the week to October 28, and sales reached£69.2 million.

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