John Lewis, Britain’s biggest department store chain, today gave further evidence of the post-Christmas surge in shopping with news of bumper weekend takings.

The high street bellwether said that it enjoyed record trade on Saturday with the start of its clearance sale, with takings at its department stores hitting a total £21.3 million, up 7 per cent on the equivalent day last year.

The partnership said it enjoyed record sales of home technology and womenswear, with china, linens and other "home products" also in strong demand.

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said that it was clear shoppers were in bargain-hunting mode.

He added: “This is a remarkable result at any time and particularly so in this challenging economic climate. John Lewis customers are being judicious in their purchasing and recognise the outstanding quality and value of the products we have on offer, particularly in our home assortments, as well as in audio visual and fashions.”

The news follows signs that shoppers have been hitting the post-Christmas sales with a vengeance.

"Footfall" figures for Boxing Day, published over the weekend, showed that the number of people entering shops that day were up 12.5 per cent on Boxing Day last year. Figures for Saturday, due out later today, are also expected to be strongly up on 2007.

The news will provide a lift to sentiment following news over the weekend that Adams, the childrenswear retailer, has applied to appoint administrators — following the collapses, just before Christmas, of tea and coffee merchant Whittard of Chelsea, music chain Zavvi and menswear retailer The Officers Club.

There are concerns that the traditional sales updates given by retailers during January will be overshadowed by a number of profit warnings. The stock market listing authorities have leaned heavily on retailers in recent years to update the market promptly on any downturn in trading.

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