THE John Lewis store at Bluewater could be creating more than 100 new jobs next year after enjoying strong Christmas sales.

Simon Russell, managing director, said the retailer was considering an expansion of floorspace in 2008 - the store's 10th anniversary year - to meet growing demand.

Extending existing floors or creating new retail space in the basement were two possible options. At present, just 150,000 sq ft is used for retail out of a total store area of 400,000 sq ft.

Mr Russell said expansion would enable the Bluewater store to stock almost as many lines as its flagship London Oxford Street shop. "If I get everything I’d like to, it would mean between 100 and 200 jobs," he said.

Meanwhile, John Lewis staff - called partners - can look forward to a generous bonus in March following good seasonal sales.

A downturn elsewhere in the high street did not hit the business which reported weekly sales of more than £100m just before Christmas.

Managing director Andy Street, Bluewater’s store manager when it opened in 1998, said: "A remarkable week which saw us achieve new record sales of over £101m, 7.7% ahead of last year. In a market which has proved tough going this is a ringing endorsement of our approach and proof that our planning for this Christmas has come together extremely well."

Mr Russell said Bluewater sales were about the same as last year. Big sellers this year were digital picture frames - "we’ve sold hundreds and hundreds" - iPods and DAB radios. He was also somewhat surprised by strong demand for furniture.

However, he thought 2008 would be a tough trading year. "I don’t think there will be a decline in sales but I don’t think there will be much growth. At the local level, we’re better places than most."

The British Retail Consortium said the Christmas rush had come late, and predicted that sales would be up on last year.

BRC director general Kevin Hawkins said: "After a very slow start, the Christmas rush finally kicked-in in the last ten days of shopping. But a lot of that was driven by discounting, good for customers but bad for those retailers who’ve seen their margins squeezed in a crucial month.

"Overall retail sales will certainly be up on last year but, with customers’ finances under more pressure than twelve months ago, retailers will have done well to beat last December’s year-on-year growth of 2.5 per cent."

He added: "There will be sharp differences between retail’s winners and losers. Those that got it right on price and availability should have done well.

"Department stores and those in shopping centres have also benefited as cold weather has made some high streets less attractive. But others, especially those without a distinctive offer or who are less able to afford discounts have struggled."