John Lewis storms 2007

John Lewis partners will get a bonus equivalent to 10 weeks pay

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John Lewis saw operating profits (excluding property profits) climb 12% to £189.9 million for the year ended January 26, which helped generate a 20% salary bonus for John Lewis partners.

Sales at the department store rose 5.6% to £2.8 billion over the year with like-for-like sales ahead 5% for the year. Market share rose 0.5% to 19.3%.

The John Lewis Partnership bonus payment is up 18% on last year at £181.1m. This is equivalent to 20% of salary and equal to 10 weeks pay for each partner.

Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership said: "The Partnership has had a successful year in a challenging trading environment. The key to our success is the commitment of our Partners who consistently deliver the customers service and professionalism that underpins our reputation for value, choice, quality and honest."

Mayfield added: "While we expect trading conditions to continue to be challenging in the year ahead, we are confident that the diversity of our business and our Partnership model makes us resilient and able to perform well even in the most testing market conditions. We are committed to the growth plans for our business and I am confident that we can deliver our long term plans."

Separately John Lewis saw sales rise 3.7% for the week to March 1 following a boost in sales in the run up to Mother's Day. Last minute Mother's Day purchases boosted John Lewis' trade by 9% on Saturday and footfall improved because of the cloudier weather.

Womenswear and accessories sales were up 14% for the week.

For more on John Lewis' preliminary results check back later.