John Lewis, Britain's biggest department stores group, reported a rare dip in weekly sales on Friday, becoming the first major UK retailer to say shoppers were delaying purchases of winter clothing because of unseasonably warm weather.

The employee-owned firm said department store sales fell 3.5 per cent year-on-year to £72.2 million in the week to September 13th.

“With children now back at school, thoughts would usually turn to winter essentials; however, the unseasonably warmer days are delaying these purchases,” John Lewis said.

“Footfall was restricted on the year due to less promotional activity on the high street,” it added.

The retailer’s fashion sales fell 13.1 per cent on the year. Homeware sales rose 0.6 per cent, while the electricals and home technology category was up 3.6 per cent.

With stores now full of autumn/winter stock John Lewis and rivals, such as Marks & Spencer, Next and Debenhams, will be hoping Britain's warm spell of weather ends soon.

John Lewis’ sales for the seven weeks to September 13th - the first seven weeks of its second half - were up 9.0 per cent, a big outperformance of the wider sector.

The firm, whose business model has been lauded by British prime minister David Cameron, has been winning market share from rivals in recent years due to its strong online offering, modern stores and a relatively affluent customer base.

The John Lewis Partnership also owns upmarket grocery chain Waitrose. Its week to September 13th sales rose 5.7 per cent to £118.8 million.

Reuters