John Lewis Partnership said sales at its 27 UK department stores fell 11.7 pct to 52.3 mln stg in the week to July 9, with sales affected by the July 7 London bombings and changes in the timing of the summer Sale. It cautioned that comparisons with the same week last year are extremely problematic Sales on Thursday (July 7) were inevitably impacted by the terrorist attacks in London, with turnover down by "significant proportions" at Oxford Street, Peter Jones and Brent Cross. Turnover on Friday (July 8) was down by around 15 pct and on Saturday by around 20 pct Sales at the partnership's chain of 167 Waitrose supermarkets were up 17.0 pct to 63.9 mln stg. Seasonal sales saw an uplift with barbecue, suncare and ice cream showing strong uplifts Total group sales increased 1.8 pct to 116.7 mln stg For the 23 weeks to July 9 department store sales were down 1.3 pct, Waitrose sales were up 18.6 pct and total sales were up 9.6 pct