Last-ditch attempts to lure Christmas shoppers into stores seem to be reviving ailing sales.

Department store chain John Lewis, which has a branch in Glasgow's Buchanan Galleries, reported improved trading and said it had been a record week for online shopping.

While sales for the week to Saturday were down 6.7% on a year earlier, the performance represents an improvement on the 13% drop recorded in November compared with the previous year.

In-store sales last week improved 20% on the previous seven days as shoppers responded to the reduction in VAT and price cuts.

Operations director Nat Wakeley described the week's trading as "much stronger".

He said: "The next two weeks are absolutely crucial for us and all high street retailers, but we are confident that the upward sales trend will continue."

The online business bettered its previous weekly sales record by £500,000.

The weekly figures from John Lewis provide a useful barometer to how the high street is faring this Christmas in the face of the economic slump.

Despite flagging consumer confidence over the past few months, retailers are noticing similar trends.

In Braehead shopping centre just outside Glasgow, sales figures for last week showed a marked improvement.

Peter Beagley, Braehead's general manager, said shopping activity had boosted sales performances across the board.

"We anticipate that this trend will continue."