DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis, which employs thousands of people across the south, has reported bumper business in the first three days of its clearance sale.

The retail giant, which has 1,000 "partners" at its flagship store at WestQuay, Southampton, said sales from December 27 to 29 were 11 per cent up on the same three days last year.

The news will go some way to making up for a lacklustre pre-Christmas period for John Lewis, which has 26 stores across the country.

The final four days before Christmas saw shoppers finally flock in to ensure that like-for-like sales for the 28 days to December 23 were only 1.2 per cent lower than a year ago.

That is no mean feat, considering that a succession of interest rate rises and increased petrol and gas prices have dampened consumer spending across the board.

Gareth Thomas, John Lewis's director of retail operations, said: "We are confident that the momentum will continue up to and through the weekend and predict a strong Saturday, with all John Lewis branches open for trade except for our three Scottish branches and John Lewis Newcastle, who traditionally have had different opening times at new year.

"We are seeing particularly strong sales of reduced saucepan sets, duvets, towels and linen, with our 20 per cent off white china ranges flying off the shelves."

The retailer, which also owns the upmarket Waitrose supermarket chain, has had an extraordinary 2004.

Earlier this year every member of staff collected a bonus worth six weeks' pay after John Lewis recorded annual pre-tax profits of £174m.

The chain is mutually owned by its 59,000 staff, which means the spoils go to them, not shareholders.