John Lewis celebrates World Cup success

The department store said electrical and home technology performed most strongly with television sales up 42 per cent on a year ago in the week to June 12.

The partnership, which also owns Waitrose, added that the supermarket's best-selling football snacks included garlic bread and sausage rolls - up 22 per cent and 13 per cent respectively - as shoppers elected to stay at home to watch the national team's 1-1 draw with the USA.

Total sales across John Lewis department stores were up 15.3 per cent on last year, slightly down on the 20 per cent recorded in the previous week.

Waitrose sales were up 9.3 per cent as shoppers also bought barbecues, outdoor dining gear and sun cream thanks to the sunny weather as well as the football.

Sales of patriotic cakes decorated with footballs or England flags rose 35 per cent, the partnership added.

The figures come after official retail sales data for May also signalled the World Cup effect across the high street, with a much stronger than expected 0.6 per cent rise in sales volumes over the month.

John Lewis added that the World Cup effect had spread to clothing with childrenswear enjoying a strong week, while shoppers were also buying gifts ahead of Father's Day this Sunday.