DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis yesterday celebrated the best week of its financial year so far, as sales to last Saturday rose 2.2 per cent.
The retailer said sales were up on five of the seven days, ending with a "brisk" Saturday as shoppers went in search of Father's Day presents.
But its Scottish stores performed poorly, with Glasgow sales slipping 0.7 per cent, Edinburgh 2.2 per c
ent and even Aberdeen – which has had strong revenues during the downturn – falling 0.2 per cent.
Eight stores improved on their 2008 performances, led by the chain's Trafford outlet after a gain of almost 17 per cent.
Fashion sales drove the rally with a 10 per cent rise in business, while the home department improved on recent trading with a fall of 5.7 per cent.
Nat Wakely, director of selling operations at the chain, said: "An excellent week at +2.2 per cent – our best week of the half so far.
"We were up on five of the seven days, and the week finished with a brisk Saturday, with Father's Day purchasing clearly in evidence."
Waitrose, John Lewis Partnership's grocery arm, enjoyed a successful week with sales up 11.8 per cent at £86.6 million.
Personnel director Ailsa Emerson said: "When sales of bread and milk increase we know footfall into stores is heading in the right direction.
"Accordingly, sales of sliced bread were up by 40 per cent against last year and milk rose by nearly 8 per cent."
