John Lewis Partnership said sales at its 26 UK department stores were up 2.7 pct to 41.2 mln. stg in the week to May 14 compared to the same week last year. The sales increase was only the fourth positive outcome in the 15 weeks of the trading year so far. Department store sales for the 15 week period were down 2.2 pct. Total sales were up 12.4 pct to 103.5 mln. stg for the week and were up 9.5 pct over the 15 weeks.