John Lewis Partnership today said Waitrose sales jumped more than 17% last week as cash-conscious shoppers stocked up on food offers.

The 17.4% increase in total sales excluding petrol also reflected strong trading in the wine, beers and spirits department, with cider sales up 35% after football fans opted for warm-weather alcohol for England's game last weekend.

While the sales figure is distorted by the timing of Easter last year, John Lewis said its supermarkets were busy and food sales better than forecast, helped by demand for items such as hot cross buns, fish and lamb.

It said its recently-launched budget range, essential Waitrose, continued to do well, with sales of minced beef and pork sausages up by 28%.

Waitrose has also introduced a two-person Indian meal deal for £10 as part of its bid to attract "savvy shoppers looking for ways to treat themselves".

In the department store business, John Lewis enjoyed a "pleasing" week with sales down 2% at £47.5 million in the seven days to last Saturday.

The strongest branch performance came from Peter Jones at Sloane Square, with a 17.1% improvement. Stores at Oxford Street, Southsea, Aberdeen, Welwyn and Newcastle also grew sales on a year earlier.

Fashion sales were 13.1% higher, while the home department had one of its best results for some time with a decline of 4.4%. Electricals and home technology was down 13.9% due to comparisons with a strong trading period last year.

Selling operations director Dan Knowles told staff in the company's weekly sales update: "We have excellent availability and great product. We are well into spring and there's all to play for as we enter the important Easter holiday period."

John Lewis trades from 27 stores and an online division, while the supermarket chain opened its 200th store at Islington, London yesterday.

The Partnership recently announced lower bonus payouts for its 69,000 staff after underlying profits fell 26% to £279.6 million in the year to 31 January.