Total sales at John Lewis were down 5.5% for the week year on year and were down across most of the major categories. Fashion sales were down 4.4%, electricals and technology sales were down 5.3% and homewares were down 7%.

Despite the downturn in sales, there were some bright spots for the retailer – ‘hydration’ sales were up 20%, which it said was “driven by sales of reusable water bottles”.

Sales of fans and air conditioning units increased 132% due to the hot weather.