Changeable weather slows trade
Sales at tthe John Lewis Partnership rose just 3.9 per cent to£120 million in the week to June 23, as the erratic weather disrupted trading.

At John Lewis department stores, sales rose 5.1 per cent to£46 million and online sales rocketed 40.3 per cent.

John Lewis customer service director Simon Fowler said: 'We enjoyed a solid start to the week from Sunday until Wednesday, followed by two days of much less certain trade given the variable weather conditions. However, sales lifted strongly on Saturday in response to the wet weather.

'The countdown to the summer clearance has started. As we were up against an England World Cup game last year on the first day, we should be confident of delivering a strong result this year.'

At supermarket Waitrose, sales rose 3 per cent to£73.49 million in what the grocer described as a difficult week. Waitrose supply chain director Mark Williamson said: 'Rain made the week very challenging for all branches trying to drive sales while controlling wastage. Sales targets proved elusive, but there were some good results.'

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