No place like home for John Lewis

Department store chain John Lewis yesterday said weekly sales soared 15.8 per cent as households turned their attention to home furnishings ahead of the Easter break.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Mar 2010, 19:30 BST

Updated 26th Mar 2010, 19:30 BST

The group said its home division led sales growth, with a rise of 19 per cent thanks to strong demand for furniture – up 29 per cent in the week to March 20.

Electronics and white goods also performed well, sparked off by the new range of high definition freesat televisions, according to John Lewis.

News of the 51.4m department store sales haul comes as welcome cheer for the retail sector as fears mount over a relapse in consumer spending in 2010.

B&Q parent Kingfisher and Next on Thursday joined a host of retailers in warning over the outlook for the year ahead, with caution expected due to the potential for tax hikes after the General Election.

CBI survey figures earlier this week added to the concern.

However, John Lewis said trading last week was "cracking".

The partnership's Waitrose supermarket arm also had a strong week for sales, up 10.1 per cent in total.