As Christmas shopping begins to take hold, John Lewis has announced sales for the week at £65.43 million, a 13.2 per cent increase year-on-year from £57.82 million in 2008.

The firm saw double-digit growth from six out of the seven days, and also across all three buying directorates, fashion, home and electricals and home technology.

Nat Wakely, regional director of selling operations commented: "toys are certainly climbing that hill to Christmas in confidence with a clear theme of anything animal related."

John Lewis Direct also finished the week in a strong position with an equal measure of success across all buying directorates.

Nine branches achieved double figures, with the top five being Trafford, Bluewater, Solihull, Oxford Street and Cheadle.

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Wakely added: "Bluewater continues to make the most of its recent refurbishment with a consistent set of results across the board, and particularly strong on children's related merchandise."