STRONG Christmas trading reinforced the position of John Lewis at Bluewater as the chain's third-best performer in the UK.

Like-for-like sales were up 1.6 per cent nationally, but the Bluewater store surged ahead of last year by three per cent.

The much larger Oxford Street store is in the lead, with only the newly-refurbished Peter Jones store challenging Bluewater for second spot.

Noel Saunders, managing director of John Lewis Bluewater, said that while the position was below what he had wanted, it was a good result after a slowish start.

"But interest rates and high fuel prices have affected spending," he said.

Christmas trade is vital to most retailers, accounting for around 23 per cent of annual takings at John Lewis.

Mr Saunders was pleased his store had bucked a disappointing seasonal trend at other major retailers such as Marks and Spencer and W H Smith. He attributed yhe result to "a perception of good value, trust and consistency, and a loyalty factor”.

John Lewis Bluewater took on an extra 300 staff at Christmas, boosting the workforce to 1,500. Several temps stayed on.

Mr Saunders said flexible working arrangements to meet staff preferences had helped attract more people. Staff turnover is 18 per cent, six points lower than the centre average.