RETAILER John Lewis said sales matched the improvement in temperatures last week as “pent-up customer demand” led to an 11.1% rise in turnover.

Jan 23 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The department store chain said more than half of its outlets improved on last year’s sales – with trading on Saturday particularly strong.

The previous week’s sales figures showed a 1.4% fall as snow and ice kept shoppers away.

Seven branches posted sales gains in the double digits last week, led by Trafford with an increase of 25.5%.

In London, the Oxford Street store increased sales by 8.8% and Peter Jones in Sloane Square lifted takings by 15.4%.

John Lewis Partnership’s Waitrose grocery business lifted sales by 16.6% as snow warnings prompted shoppers to stock up on goods.