The traditional end of year sale has started well for John Lewis

Though this failed to live up to the 24% rise in sales recorded in the week before Christmas, John Lewis said it had outperformed its competitors.

Reports from rival retailers have so far been mixed.

Next predicts that it will beat profit forecasts, but JJB Sports has warned that it will miss expectations.

And chocolate maker Thornton's has reported a fall in its own-shop sales over the festive period.

John Lewis said that electrical goods and home technology led the sales boost in its department stores, while champagne, mince pies, cheese, fruit and nuts were in demand at its Waitrose supermarket chain.

The firm said several of its department stores took more money in the week ending 31 December despite there being one less trading day than the same week a year ago.

"It both (weeks), we traded very strongly, outperforming our competitors and gaining market share," the John Lewis Partnership said.