Mild weather dilutes demand
Blow-up beds, man bags and chocolate snowmen helped lift sales 7.3 per cent at John Lewis for the week to November 18, but growth slowed at the start of this week.

Sales for Sunday to Wednesday were up 3.5 per cent, but the company said it needed cold weather to drive its fashion sales in the run-up to Christmas.

John Lewis director of selling support Rob Collins said: 'It is a more challenging week for us, but still an outcome that, so far, we are encouraged by. We are now up against some much steeper comparative sales figures from last year, and the continued mild weather is dampening demand for some of our fashion areas.'

Director of customer service Simon Fowler added: 'There are just four weeks until Christmas Day and the arrival of some colder weather would certainly provide a welcome boost.'

Other product winners last week were murder-mystery games, children's confectionary, red babywear and sofa beds.

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