John Lewis revels in the Games effect

The employee-owned group said sport sales, including clothing and equipment, surged 178 per cent in the week to August 11, helping total sales jump 14.9 per cent to £60.75m.

John Lewis, which is an Olympic sponsor, said the final week of the Games and closing weekend celebrations “certainly played a part in our success” as some 18 branches reported sales growth.

And the company allayed fears that the event had turned central London into a “ghost town” as it revealed an 18.9 per cent surge in its Oxford Street store and a 5.9 per cent increase in its Peter Jones store in Sloane Square.

Yesterday’s encouraging figures from John Lewis come after official data yesterday showed a better-than-expected performance from the retail sector in July, with flat sales volumes, excluding fuel, against City expectations for a 0.2 per cent fall.

The period covered the first two days of the Olympics, but the ONS said this had no noticeable impact on sales.

Likewise, John Lewis has previously raised fears that the Olympic boost was going to be a damp squib for retailers when sales in the run up to the event fell short. But the last two weeks sales figures have been strong for the group, with London 2012 merchandise and sports clothing and equipment leading the way.

Electrical and home technology sales were strong in the week to August 11, up 22.2 per cent, driven by telecoms, up 149 per cent, while large electricals, such as TVs, were ahead 16 per cent.