Miserable weather has been good news to some. The John Lewis Partnership has reported sales of £181.37m for the 23 weeks ended 7 July, an increase of 9.5 per cent compared to £165.56m for the same period last year. The company cites customers heading to its shops for some retail therapy as one of the reasons for its healthy results. The John Lewis Partnership owns 37 John Lewis department stores and 280 Waitrose supermarkets in the UK, as well as Johnlewis.com.

John Lewis store sales increased by 15.3 per cent to £71.56m (2011-2012: £62.04m), while Waitrose sales increased by 6.1 per cent to £109.81m (2011-2012: £103.52m). The online and catalogue business Johnlewis.com posted a sales growth of 45 per cent during the period.

John Lewis’s home branches in Poole, Swindon, Croydon and Tunbridge Wells achieved better results during the period. The team at Jl.com also delivered impressive sales.

There was a 7.8 per cent growth in poultry sales and strong performance from pre-packed beef and lamb. Vegetable sales also saw a 19 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The relaunch of Waitrose’s Mexican range saw a 310 per cent uplift in sales, while a 50 per cent increase was seen in oriental meals and a 24.5 per cent rise in pizza sales.