Rising sales are back in fashion at John Lewis

The employee-owned retailer said sales excluding VAT were up 3.2 per cent in the week to last Saturday, with takings at its fashion department up 11.5 per cent as shoppers snapped up premium beauty products, women's brands and handbags.

The sales growth ends a run of three weeks when the chain's sales excluding VAT declined on the previous year. Including VAT, revenues in the week to 21 May were 5.3 per cent higher at 53.5 million.

There was a mixed performance at the three Scottish stores, with Edinburgh and Glasgow up 3.8 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively, while Aberdeen dipped 0.7 per cent.

Analysts said the overall sales growth provided some "good news" on the UK consumer front, with John Lewis often held up as a barometer for the wider retail sector.

However, Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, noted that the growth rate of 5.3 per cent, year-on-year, was a little over half the 9.9 per cent achieved in the retailer's first half.

John Lewis said competition was tough on the high street, but more unsettled weather had helped increase footfall at its 32 stores.

Its fashion department also experienced strong sales of menswear items, with formalwear, accessories and shoes all in growth territory.

The rise in demand for the chain's fashion ranges had a favourable impact on its online sales, which were up 28 per cent on last year.

Sales of goods through its home department, which have been in decline in recent weeks,, also provided some cheer, rising 3.3 per cent, with gift collections, kitchen utensils and bed linen among the most popular items.

However, revenues from "electricals and home technology" were down 0.1 per cent despite buoyant demand for computers and accessories.

John Lewis' store in Manchester's Trafford Centre was the best performing outlet in the week, with sales up 11.6 per cent.

Regional selling operations director David Barford said: "An encouraging week's trade with an increase of 5.3 per cent on last year came in the face of significant competitor activity and really underlines our customers' trust in our 'never knowingly undersold' commitment.

"The more unsettled weather was a factor, too, in helping to drive footfall into our shops."

The Waitrose supermarket chain, which is also owned by the John Lewis Partnership, said sales rose 6.4 per cent, year-on-year, to 101.3m. But this represented a slowdown on the previous week's growth of 10.8 per cent when the sunny weather prompted shoppers to buy barbecue food.It said shopping trend were similar to those in autumn or winter as people stocked up on warming food and drink, including coffee and soup.