Department store group John Lewis began its new financial year with a modest year-on-year increase in sales of 1.2 per cent in the week to February 5.

Electricals and home technology was the top selling sector of the week with sales 2.3 per cent up on the same week a year ago.

According to Nat Wakely, director of selling operations in John Lewis region A, the strength in the category came from small electrical products, IT, audio and telecoms and white goods “which all made it to double figures”.

Online sales at johnlewis.com were 16.7 per cent ahead of a year ago with electricals and home technology products again leading the pack.

Four stores beat last year’s figures, led by Peter Jones in London, but 26 outlets fell below, the worst hit being Southampton whose sales were 15.6 down on those it achieved in the same week the year before.