As the good weather continues and consumers seek to make the most of their gardens, the department store chain reported another big spike in sales of barbecues and outdoor furniture last week, despite home sales being down overall.

Total sales for the week to August 31 were down 7.2% on the same week last year, as warm weather over the Bank holiday weekend impacted trade.

However, despite a 14% decline in home sales, the warm temperatures saw sales of barbecues jump 40%, whilst outdoor furniture was up 20%, as customers continued to make the most of their outdoor areas.

Electrical and home technology sales were down 2.8% but large electricals increased by 8.6%, driven by cooking, which reported a 29% increase.