Department store chain John Lewis has reported a 1.3 per cent drop in weekly sales – the eighth decline in nine weeks – but said its clearance Sale is performing well.

For the week to July 5, John Lewis said sales were driven by solid trade on Saturday, when it was more than 8 per cent up. John Lewis's strongest branch was London’s Oxford Street, where sales were driven by fashion and electricals. Its online operation was up 18 per cent.

Fashion led the way, with own-brand womenswear, brands and childrenswear all delivering double-digit growth. John Lewis director of selling operations Dan Knowles said: “It looks like we will have had a good clearance, clearing much of our old stock as well as selling good volumes of full-priced merchandise.”

Sales at grocery chain Waitrose rose 4.6 per cent for the week, with warmer weather driving sales of ice-cream and drinks. Total beer sales were up 10 per cent.

Overall, group sales were up 1.9 per cent for the week to£139.6 million.

Analyst Altium Securities said John Lewis sales were not down as much as the previous week, but that out-of-town stores maintained their downward trend, reflecting both the weakness of the market and the impact of higher petrol costs.

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