Sales at John Lewis rose just 0.5% to £54.27m for the week to June 4, despite the Bank Holiday and exceptionally good weather, the company has reported.
However, the Home directorate was one of the better performers, with a 1.5% sales increase year-on-year. The home accessories and gifts assortments "shone", said the report, with gift collections up 18.2%, helped by Father's Day merchandise "beginning to play a real part".

Lighting was up 10.7% on the previous year, with bath shop and bed linens finishing the week up 22.2% and 18% respectively.

Electricals continued to be in positive territory, with large electricals up 6.9% and small electricals up 16.5%.

Both Home and EHT (electricals and home technology) managed to grow their sales online, with johnlewis.co.uk delivering an increase of 16% overall.

John Lewis director of selling operations (region B) David Barford said: "We are now into a new week and with the more unsettled weather we have every opportunity to make the most of the footfall in shops together with the continuing growth of business through all our channels."