John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned retailer seen as a barometer of High Street trading, said week to June 21 sales at its 26 department stores fell 1.2 percent year-on-year to £45.5 million - the sixth time in seven weeks sales have declined.
The shortfall was driven by a 7.3 percent fall in sales of home merchandise and a 5.3 percent fall in sales of electricals and home technology products.
"The June trading month finished as we expected, with a headline score below the rain-sodden return from 2007. But the week offered some real 'reasons to be cheerful', as we traded in normal mode against the beginning of competitors' sales," said managing director Andy Street.
He highlighted "marvellous progress" in fashion, where sales increased 7.2 percent and said new stores in Liverpool and Cambridge were continuing to perform 'well ahead of expectations'.
However, excluding Liverpool and Cambridge only London's Oxford Street and the online operation johnlewis.com reported sales growth, while eight outlets recorded double-digit sales falls.
The division's sales growth for the 21 weeks to June 21 has now been trimmed to 1.2 percent - 'a clear reflection of the more challenging environment,' said Street.
The department stores start their summer "Clearance" sale on Saturday (June 28) which should boost the week to June 28 and week to July 5 sales figures.
Sales at the group's chain of 189 Waitrose supermarkets increased 5.2 percent to £77.3 million. The outcome was impacted by the mixed weather and the last days of the fuel tanker drivers' strike.
Total Partnership sales increased 2.7 percent to £122.8 million.
