John Lewis records 'superb' run-up to Easter

The department store reported double-digit sales increases in the majority of its branches in the week to April 7, recording a 25% overall uplift on the week before Easter last year.

The iPad3 continued to drive sales with IT up 133%. Television and digital box sales rose 80% as customers in London and the south of England prepared for the digital switchover. Online sales rose 39.1%.

Fashion sales rose 18% with childrenswear up 33% buoyed by shoppers looking for back-to-school products.

Poole continued to lead the pack in terms of store performance with a 65% uplift while Croydon rose 64%. John Lewis’ Peter Jones store was the most sluggish, recording a 1.9% rise.

John Lewis director of selling operations David Barford hailed “a great week and a fantastic start to the Easter weekend on Friday and Saturday”.

Sales at Waitrose last week rose 26.2%, up 4.5% when compared to the week before Easter 2011.

Retail director Rob Collins said the run-up to Easter had been “one of our best ever” as confectionary sales rose 50%.

Collins said its customers may be “sporting a faux glow” with a 962% rise in fake tanning products.

He added: “It was great to see strong trade towards the end of the week driven by extending our trading hours on Good Friday, which our customers really appreciated.”