Department store chain John Lewis generated strong fashion sales last week as it price-matched rivals’ promotions.

Apparel sales climbed 7.2% in the week to June 17, when John Lewis’s total revenues edged up 0.7% to £53.4m.

John Lewis head of selling operations, new format, Maggie Porteous said: “There has been much in the news about retailers’ Sales starting early this year and this was evident in fashions last week, where relevant areas of the assortment have been reduced to match prices in our competitors.

“This gave us great results in womenswear, men’s brands and women’s shoes, which were supported by excellent sales in beauty.”

Sales of electricals and home technology fell 8.1% however, against strong TV comparatives because of last year’s World Cup. Turnover in the home category was up 1.9%.

Sales through Johnlewis.com rose 18.9%. Six stores generated year-on-year sales uplifts – Edinburgh, Oxford Street, Solihull, Poole, Trafford and Watford.

Turnover at grocery stablemate Waitrose climbed 8.1% to £103.4m in the week.

Waitrose has just launched its Love Life range of nutritionally balanced food and marketing director Rupert Thomas said sales have been strong. Love Life is the grocer’s biggest sub-brand launch since Essential Waitrose and 270 products will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

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