Department store chain John Lewis has said its out-of-town stores suffered most in a sharp sales fall last week.

The group said sales fell 8.3 per cent during the week to June 28 compared to prior year, led by hefty declines for home and electrical goods.

Electrical and home technology sales were down 15.8 per cent during the week, with home items 13 per cent worse off.

Sales of bigger ticket items such as washing machines and sofas have been among the main casualties during a consumer spending squeeze.

In a signal that rising fuel costs were also having an impact on trade, John Lewis said its out-of-town stores - such as Bluewater in Kent and Brent Cross in North London - fared the worst in terms of sales.

Bluewater's sales dropped nearly 25 per cent during the week, with Brent Cross posting a 17 per cent decline.

"There is no doubt that trade in our shops proved challenging when compared to exceptional results last year," commercial director Phil Hullah said.

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