John Lewis has forecast record Christmas sales after the department store registered its biggest ever weekly sales.

Sales increased 5.2 per cent to nearly£96 million year on year for the week ending December 8. They were 11.7 per cent up on last week.

Electricals were the best sellers of the past week, with a 7 per cent increase on the previous week. Last week was also the biggest week for John Lewis Direct, which posted sales up 40 per cent on 2006.

John Lewis director of selling operations Dan Knowles said: “We are delighted to be celebrating record sales. With two weeks’ shopping left before Christmas, it is clear that John Lewis continues to take market share.

“This coming week, we are expecting more good results from online, as well as a real buzz in our toy departments, where Star Wars is already proving to be a huge hit this year.”

John Lewis expects next week to be its peak period for toys.

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