Sales reach new record at John Lewis, but Edinburgh trails

Department store group John Lewis has reported an 11.1 per cent rise in weekly sales, with a record £147.8 million ringing through its tills as customers snapped up Microsoft’s new Surface tablet.

The employee-owned retailer said home accessories and menswear performed strongly in the week to 15 December, but electronic gadgets led the way with a 27.6 per cent jump.

Retail director Andrew Murphy said: “Substantial sales of iPads were ably supported by the other brands. Currently John Lewis has shop exclusivity of the Microsoft Surface tablet, which across the weekend alone sold well.”

There was a marked difference in the performance of its Scottish stores, with Aberdeen enjoying a 3.6 per cent increase and Glasgow edging up 0.7 per cent, but the firm’s Edinburgh branch witnessed a 3.6 per cent decline in sales.