John Lewis profits soar despite tough 2011

Department store group John Lewis saw profits rise by 20%,

or £61.3m, to £367.9m last year but has warned that 2011 could be more difficult.

Sales at the company, which also includes Waitrose supermarkets, rose by £784.8m to £8.21bn.

Chairman Charlie Mayfield described the figures for the year ending 29 January as a "strong performance".

But he said 2011 would see the impact of higher VAT, rising unemployment, and higher food and raw material costs.