Sales at department store chain John Lewis rose 5.4% to £69m during “subdued” trading last week.
Warmer weather and the Tube strike in London affected business following the “bumper” half-term period.
Fashion sales advanced 7.7% in the week to November 6, led by strong sales of accessories, menswear and childrenswear.
The electricals and home technology category was 3.9% up, and did especially well online. The retailer reported that the Kindle e-reading device “took off like a rocket” and “appliances big and small were in demand”.
Sales of home goods rose 4.7% and the newly opened Home store in Swindon “had a really encouraging week”.
Online sales overall were ahead 36%.
Sales at the Christmas shop rose 15%. John Lewis head of multichannel content Helen Keppel-Compton said: “The build-up for Christmas continues this week and we are in great shape to take advantage of a cooler [weather] forecast.”
At grocery stablemate Waitrose, which has also posted third-quarter sales, turnover climbed 10.3% last week to £99.6m. Bonfire night and wine and Champagne promotion helped performance.
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