John Lewis saw an excellent week of trading last week as its sales rose by 12.6% year-on-year.

Fashion witnessed the best growth with sales rising by 14.3% on last year. Trade was driven by a strong performance in womenswear and sales of childrenswear were also strong, rising by 16.7%, while menswear sales increased by 15%.

In the home, directorate sales climbed by 13.9% driven by a 15% rise in sales of big ticket items. Furniture and textiles sales were both buoyant with a good number of forward orders.

Online sales also rose by 30.6%.

Ed Connolly, buying director for fashion at John Lewis, said: “A superb week's sales which grew by 12.6% on last year, with double-digit increases posted by all three buying directorates. With strong momentum from positive Bank Holiday Monday figures, we ought to be able to reflect on another good performance this time next week.”