Total sales at John Lewis & Partners were down 5.5% last week (to Saturday August 24) on the same week last year.
The department store group’s digital director Sienne Veit said: “Home sales were down 7.0% but hydration sales were up 20%, driven by sales of reusable water bottles.
“Electrical and Home Technology sales were down 5.3%. But environmental care sales were up 132% as the hot weather saw strong demand for fans and air conditioning units.
“Fashion sales were down 4.4%. However, sales of sunglasses and swimwear were up 42% and 27% respectively as customers prepared for the record-breaking temperatures over the bank holiday weekend.”