LONDON (MktNews) - The UK John Lewis Partnership said Friday its department store sales in the week to March 17 were up 11.9% on the same week a year ago. Meanwhile, total sales, which includes those of supermarkets, rose 12.9% in the week to March 17 compared with the same week a year ago. Gareth Thomas, director of selling and customer services, said the week was an "outstanding" one, with no fewer than 13 branches putting on double-digit percentage increases.