Sales at department store group John Lewis continued to run ahead of last year’s figures in the week to October 22 – this time by 2.1 per cent, excluding VAT.

Electricals and home technology (EHT) is again leading the three product directorates of EHT, fashion and home with sales 5.3 per cent ahead of a year ago.

Online sales at johnlewis.com were 21.8 per cent ahead of the same week in 2010.

Ed Connolly, buying director for electricals and home technology at John Lewis said: “EHT continued a strong run on white goods, computing and accessories.”

He added that the figures were complemented by solid figures from the store group’s new own-brand audio ranges and “significant” positive growth on both cooling and heating products.