John Lewis sees its sales melt in the sunny weather

Last week it blamed “changeable weather” for a fall in sales. The week before it said the tube strike was the problem.

But today John Lewis said warmer weather and a particularly sunny weekend saw sales from its department stores slump 5.9% in the seven days to last Saturday.

Sales were down by £4.5 million on a year ago at £71.96 million.

Liz Mihell, head of selling at the chain, blamed not just the weather but the later timing of the Bank Holiday.

“Looking ahead, there are clear opportunities this weekend in making the most of the Bank Holiday footfall and also the peak days of back to school,” she said.

Including a 1.6% rise in sales at Waitrose group, sales fell 1.5%.

Fashion was down 4.4% despite back to school being in “full swing” and summer lines still doing well.

Home sales fell 2.7% and electricals were down 10.4%.