Posted: Monday, November 28, 2011 1:00 pm

Sales figures released for the week ending Saturday 26 November by leading department store group John Lewis show that shoppers throughout the country are beginning to get ready for Christmas in earnest. 

The department store achieved a sterling total of £98.7 million last week. Although this represents a 1.2% decrease on figures from the same week last year, it is significantly up - by 15.9% - on last week's trade. 

Sales were driven by customers getting their homes ready for Christmas entertaining, with Christmas china, festive table decorations and Christmas trees being snapped up and lighting, bedding and linens all seeing strong sales uplifts. 

There are clear signs that shoppers are turning their thoughts to present purchases. Children were the focus of gift buying, with scooters, Cookie the animatronic dog and kids' electronics among the most popular products. The bigger 'kids' among the family were not left out as digital gifts such as iPads and Kindles continued to deliver strong sales. 

David Barford, Director of Selling Operations for John Lewis, said: "Despite the continuing warm weather, to have achieved sales so close to last year shows that Christmas shopping is really taking off, albeit a little later than usual. John Lewis customers are clearly turning their thoughts to presents, particularly those for children with both 'hi tech' and traditional toys proving popular. It is also clear that shoppers are appreciating our Never Knowingly Undersold policy of price matching competitors' prices which, coupled with our renowned customer service and inspirational gift assortment, makes John Lewis their destination of choice". 

Figures also show that johnlewis.com sales continue to grow by 18% year on year. John Lewis branches throughout the country reported a remarkable increase in customers using the online operation's ‘Click and Collect’ service last week, whereby shoppers can order online and collect their purchases from 129 John Lewis and Waitrose shops throughout the country. 'Click and Collect' from John Lewis is currently running 75% ahead of last year - showing its attraction for customers as a purchasing method of choice.