Department store group John Lewis’ sales jumped 6.7% to £80.7m in the week to June 29 as shoppers rushed to get a bargain in its summer Sale.

John Lewis weekly sales, June 29, 2013

Home sales edged up 2.3% driven by its Clearance event, with Sale items soaring 38% year on year.

Fashion revenue advanced 4.7%. Reduced items accounted for almost half of sales. Nursery had a particularly good week, according to John Lewis, as various events were held in store alongside a marketing campaign.

“This week sees further markdowns and a third burst of Clearance marketing,” said Ed Connolly, buying director for electricals and home technology.

Sales were also bolstered by the sunshine, which prompted a run on suncare and sunglasses, which rocketed 76% on last year.

In electricals and home technology sales surged 14.3% year on year. Large electrical items also benefited from the sun and refrigeration soared 40%.

Sales at JohnLewis.com jumped 20.2% over the week.

Meanwhile, at sister chain Waitrose, Murray mania and Glastonbury helped sales escalate 12.3% to £120.5m over the week. 

Sales at it Welcome Break shops surged 22% as festival goers bought their essentials. Dry shampoo sales rocketed 30% and antibacterial hand wipes skyrocketed 262%. Travel-size toiletries also climbed 84%.

Andy Murray’s progression in Wimbledon helped drive sales increases in strawberries, up 56%, Champagne, up 26%, and Pimm’s, which soared 90%.

The bumper weekend of sport, which included the T20 cricket series, the British Grand Prix and the British Lions match, led to beer sales rising 25% and cider increasing 14% at Waitrose.

The sunshine also provided a boost as meat sales soared 50% and charcoal 30% on last year as barbecues were fired up.