Sales slump at John Lewis

THE Edinburgh branch of department store John Lewis has suffered a decline in sales.

In the week to 22 May, sales declined by 5.1 per cent.

The figures come despite a strong start to the company's financial year, with sales in the St James Centre outlet up 4.1 per cent in the first 16 weeks of its year.

Across the UK, the firm's sales increased by 12 per cent in the week to 22 May, with warm weather helping "seasonal assortments".