Department store chain John Lewis has reported strong demand for new season’s lines as it moved out of the Sale period.

John Lewis posted a sales rise of 3.7% to £59.9m in the week to July 16, its final week of clearance.

Fashion sales rose 4.5% in the period, when “trade was impacted by unpredictable weather”. Electricals and home technology sales rose 8.5% and turnover in the home category was up 1%.

Buying director for home Paula Nickolds said: “As we move out of clearance this week, inspiring our customers with the best of our new season’s product will become the focus.

“The volume of new product in our shops is significantly higher than previous years, and the strong sales we are already seeing on new full-price stock should give us real confidence in the offer we have for the crucial second half.”

Seven stores posted year-on-year sales advances for the week week, led by Peter Jones which generated a 9.9% uplift. Online sales surged by 31%.

At grocery stablemate Waitrose sales, including petrol, climbed 9.8% to £101.2m in the week. Excluding petrol the retailer managed a 9.6% advance.

Sales of home baking products rose strongly, which the retailer put down to parents preparing to keep their children entertained during the school holidays.

Waitrose finance director Tom Athron also observed: “British sea vegetables are becoming a one of this year’s must-haves for the dinner table and our sales of samphire are ahead of last year by 47%.”