Cost-conscious shoppers have reversed weeks of falling trade at John Lewis after the department store's clearance sale drove revenue up 5.9 per cent and its sister company, Waitrose, reported soaring sales of cake and wine.

John Lewis Partnership, the privately-owned group that operates the eponymous department store and Waitrose, reported total sales up from £127 million to £130.7 million for the 24 weeks to July 12.

The turnaround in sales at John Lewis - only the second time in 10 weeks that revenue has risen - was largely driven by sales of women's fashion, which rose by 16 per cent.

The company also reported increases in sales of electrical and technology goods - an area particularly hit in the months since economic pressures have tightened households budgets - with trading in televisions up "very significantly" after John Lewis cut prices on sets.

In contrast, John Lewis said sales of furnishings had failed to match last year "but got much closer last week than in recent trading weeks".

Like "big ticket" electrical items such as fridges and washing machines, home furnishing sales have taken a battering since late last year as cost-conscious consumers put off buying sofas and other large items.

Overall, sales at the John Lewis department stores rose from £52 million in the first 24 weeks of last year to £55.1 million in 2008.

However, despite its extensive clearance sale, only around half of John Lewis stores reported a rise in sales.

Its upmarket Peter Jones shop, located in the heart of London's wealthy Sloane Square area, saw trading continue to fall, with revenues down 7.8 per cent as the UK's monied classes shunned the clearance sale.

At Waitrose, there was also evidence that shoppers are being more cautious but this has increased sales at the supermarket as more Britons attempt to save money by eating in.

The company said: "The trend for home entertaining was strongly evident, with unit sales of the 'As Good as Going Out' range up by 38 per cent on last year."

Waitrose shoppers also appeared to be stocking up on wine and desserts.

The company reported that pre-packed cake sales rose by 24 per cent year-on-year, while revenue on South African wines surged by 132 per cent and New Zealand wine turnover increased by 40 per cent.

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