John Lewis says Glasgow store was last week’s top performer

Department store group John Lewis saw sales grow 5.3 per cent last week, with its Glasgow branch putting in the best performance across its 39-strong estate.

Fashion items were in greatest demand during the week to 27 April, with sales up 19.6 per cent compared with a year ago.

Amanda Scott, the firm’s head of buying for women’s accessories, said: “The long-awaited sunshine encouraged customers to buy into warmer weather products particularly sunglasses, sandals, swimwear and linen – a definite sign that customers are more than ready to embrace summer when it arrives.”

The employee-owned retailer said price-matching activity “clearly drove footfall into stores” and Glasgow led the way with a 14.5 per cent increase.

Sales at its Aberdeen branch were 6.5 per cent higher than a year, with Edinburgh up 1.1 per cent.