Home merchandise fell for John Lewis last week but the retailer lifted overall sales thanks to a stronger performance from its fashion and electricals categories.

Sales were up 0.7 percent to £80.4 million for the department store retailer in the seven days to July 21, ending a four-week run of falling year-on-year revenue.

Mid-single digit rises in apparel and electricals eliminated the impact of a 6.3 percent drop in home goods, the eighth straight week the directorate has missed year-earlier figures.