Kidswear was a strong performer with sales rising by 10% in the week to April 16, a record week outside of Sale periods. Both girls clothing and children’s footwear were stand out areas in kidswear. Due to the sunny weather new summer merchandise was a key theme for both menswear and womenswear.

Total sales at the department store chain grew 4.5% to £53.63m and online sales saw further growth with a rise of 30%. However, John Lewis highlighted that comparisons with last year are not straight forward due to a late Easter, different school holidays and warm spring weather. The chain said it would be a few weeks until it could “take a proper read of trade”.

Stores in Trafford and Poole were the strongest performing with robust sales from Oxford Street, Watford and Glasgow. The out-of-town shops reported quieter footfall which John Lewis attributed to the warm weather.

Simon Russell, head of multi channel at John Lewis, said: “The next few weeks will be key as we enter the busier holiday period and we have a great opportunity to capitalise on the extra footfall that will inevitably come.”