Department store chain reported 8% sales up lift last week as home and outdoor living ranges flew out the door.
Reporting strong sales of barbecues, garden furniture and picnicware, John Lewis head of buying operations Sarah Morris said: "Customers were definitely getting back into their gardens."

The increase for the week ended April 9, was boosted by the warmer weather, despite a drop in footfall in some of the retailer's branches as shoppers made the most of the sunshine.

Increases were also seen in beds and bed linen ranges, while shoppers also showed interest in fitted kitchen ranges. Sales in electrical and home technology categories were poor, with the lowest figure of the half to date. However white goods were boosted by the relaunch of John Lewis' own-brand appliances.

Meanwhile, its online proposition johnlewis.com reported an impressive 36% increase on last year.

The retailer has also confirmed the opening of its at home store in Tamworth, which is scheduled for this autumn. The 42,000sq ft store on Ventura Retail Park, represents an investment of £7m and continues the firm's roll out of its smaller format 'at home stores'.

John Lewis md Andy Street said: "We believe our Tamworth shop will complement our full line department store in Solihull and will provide our customers with a broader, more convenient shopping offer. We're looking forward to consolidating our position in the West Midlands even further when we open our full line department store in Birmingham city centre in 2014."