Economists said the positive trading updates from department store John Lewis, camera specialist Jessops PLC and sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion PLC are more likely a last hurrah as economic woes deepen.

Privately held John Lewis said its sales jumped a massive 27.4 per cent in the week ended Jan 3.

Jessops posted a 3.1 per cent rise in same-store sales to Jan 5, while JD Sports posted a 2.8 per cent increase in the five weeks to Jan 3.

The strong results provided a bright spot in an industry hard hit by the global economic downturn - major retailers Next PLC and Marks & Spencer PLC are among those that have already unveiled slumping holiday sales - and retail stocks rose across the board.

'Was it the fall of the calendar? Was it the weather? Was it driven by constant media reports of the bargains to be had?' said John Lewis' head of selling development Barry Matheson. 'It is difficult to tell, but what we know for sure is that we delivered a truly inspirational result.'

Seymour Pierce retail analyst Freddie George said stores benefited from people spending cash they received at Christmas instead of presents when retailers began their big discounting period from Dec 26.

Mr George added that an influx of tourists had been attracted to Britain's shops by the weak pound.

The British currency has depreciated against both the euro and the dollar in recent months as the Bank of England has slashed interest rates to a record low of 1.5 per cent to ward off a deep recession. Cutting interest rates can undermine a currency as investors seek higher returns elsewhere.

But analysts said the positivity provided by Friday's updates was unlikely to be sustained.

'Unfortunately ... this is unlikely to mark the beginning of an improving trend in retail sales,' said IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer. 'Once the best of the bargains are gone and consumers have got what they most want or need, we suspect that interest in the sales will fall away quickly.'

Jessops noted that its profit margin had been hit because of discounting, even as it posted the sales rise. Over a 14-week period to Jan 5, same-store sales declined 5.6 per cent.

The company said it expected to deliver full-year profits in line with previous guidance of pretax earnings of 4.4 million pounds, but provided no other statement on trading prospects for this year.

John Lewis' Matheson warned that conditions were likely to be difficult for the entire retail sector in the months ahead.

But JD Sports, which did not sacrifice margins by holding off on its discounting until after Christmas, was more bullish about the coming year. It said the unexpected strong holiday sales meant that current market expectations for its pretax profit 'will be marginally exceeded.'

Jessops shares were up 24 per cent at 3.4 pence, while JD Sports were up 13 per cent at 232 pence in early afternoon trading. -- AP