John Lewis Partnership recorded a 4 per cent increase in sales compared to last year as the retailer maintains steady growth one year on from the Olympics.

Department store John Lewis, who has recently opened new stores in Newbury, Chichester, Ipswich and Exeter, said that the trade in many of its more northern shops showed strong double-digit growth- outstripping their southern counterparts.

Mark Lewis, Online Director at John Lewis, commented that overall the shops had ‘a strong week‘ despite extreme temperatures on Thursday.

Transactions made through JohnLewis.com were up 24 per cent year-on-year and traffic from smartphones also increased rapidly to over 70 per cent.

Its Click & Collect service continued to be popular as customers opted for the convenience which was up over 40 per cent from last year. There was a particularly strong uptake of collection from Waitrose supermarkets.

Waitrose also benefited from holidaymakers plans this week as suncare sales increased by 60 per cent and travel accessories surged by 86 per cent. Overall sales were up six per cent (excluding petrol.)

The retailers‘ Welcome Break and Little Waitrose stores also posted sharp increases of 29 per cent and 20 per cent, as the grocery chain continues its forays into the service station and convenience market.