DEPARTMENT stores group John Lewis Partnership saw sales climb in its

half-year to the end of July, the group reported yesterday.

Sales in the half-year to the end of July climbed to #11270m from

#10940m last time.

John Lewis, which owns the Waitrose supermarket chain, reported a

trading profit of #28.5m in the six months compared with #30.3m.

The group was hit by higher pension costs of #8.7m, #1m more than the

corresponding period last year and one-off costs in distribution for

Waitrose.