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

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.