John Lewis enjoys 8.8 per cent sales increase

FAVOURABLE weather conditions saw John Lewis enjoy an 8.8 per cent increase in sales last week, with its Glasgow store among its best performers.

While its Tamworth store in Staffordshire saw the biggest increase – of 16.5 per cent – John Lewis said its Glasgow branch “was also on fine form, up 15.1 per cent”.

Takings in Edinburgh grew 4.7 per cent, while its Aberdeen store gained 0.5 per cent.

The employee-owned retailer said fashion sales jumped 13.9 per cent in the week to 18 May, helped by weather that was “neither too hot nor too cold”.

However, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Freddie George said: “We remain concerned that we are going to see an escalation in promotional activity following the variable weather in April and May to date, and the weather is not forecast to improve over the forthcoming bank holiday.”