Scotland the weak link at John Lewis

John Lewis yesterday reported another double-digit rise in weekly sales as it escaped the gloom sweeping the high street, but its Scottish stores were among its weakest performers.

The group unveiled sales of £64.3 million for the week to 5 May, an increase of 18.3 per cent on the same period last year. But at its Edinburgh and Glasgow branches, sales rose just 0.3 per cent, while its Aberdeen branch saw a decline of 3.1 per cent.

Electricals and home technology sales jumped 47.2 per cent, driven by demand for notebook computers and Apple’s new iPad. Homewares were up 14.1 per cent, but fashion sales were subdued because of the poor weather, rising 4.6 per cent.

John Lewis also owns upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose, where sales rose 6.8 per cent to £110.1m.