Department store John Lewis was able to post yet another weekly sales rise as demand for fireworks saw purchases rocket, up 8 per cent on last year's figures.

Furniture sales were the 'crowning glory' of the week to 24 October, as the store recorded the highest ever sales of beds and bedroom items outside of clearance periods.

Big ticket items including electricals also posted strong increases on the same period last year, despite the affect of milder weather.

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