Department store's weekly sales up 30% on 2009, with its Never Knowingly Undersold campaign boosting sales in home categories.
The week to April 3, 2010, was also up 21% compared with sales at John Lewis during Easter 2009 - with every shop in the chain reporting a sales increase.

All categories in home reported a 20% increase in sales on the same trading week last year, while overall sales were up 24% compared with last Easter. Competitor price matching, with its Never Knowingly Undersold motto, helped drive a "fantastic result" in cooking and dining, said the company. While John Lewis' home marketing campaign saw the trend for tea sets and cake plates soar over the seven-day period.

The seasonal impact was also strong, with Easter driving sales of gifts and decorative accessories. The department store chain also gave an impressive performance online, with johlewis.com reporting a sales increase of 57% on last year.

John Lewis merchandise director Jill Little was pleased with the retailer's performance: "Our customers were clearly inspired by our shops this Easter, as sales for the week were fantastic."

She added: "This week we will continue to see the impact of Easter on sales, and better weather should drive sales of new season fashions and outdoor living. We now have news of the general election, but it remains to be seen whether this will have an impact on consumer confidence."