John Lewis reported a sales increase of 15.5% ahead of last year for the week to August 7, 2010.
The retailer saw all departments responding well in the opening week of the second half of the year, with home doing particularly well, up 17%. Despite the more mixed weather, outdoor living "continues to thrive", said the report, with hampers up 100% as consumers still look to get out in the open.

Online is still doing extremely well at John Lewis, said head of operational support Chris Hooper. "On the frontline, it was johnlewis.com that led the charge, 33% ahead of last year, and very much on form," he said. "A record week too for click and collect, once again demonstrating the potential in bricks and mortar operations working in tandem with the online business."