Prices to rise if Scotland votes Yes, says John Lewis boss

Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said the "economic uncertainty" created by an independent Scotland would lead to price increases as the higher costs of transporting goods to Scotland would no longer be shared across the whole of the UK.

They said they were considering ending the practice of subsidising the extra cost of trading in Scotland with money made elsewhere in the UK, meaning that food prices would climb in the event of secession.

Sir Charlie was speaking as the John Lewis Partnership, which comprises the eponymous department store and Waitrose, unveiled a 90pc increase in pre-tax profits to £129.8m for the first six months of the year.

Overall, sales climbed 6pc to £5bn, with like-for-like sales increasing 1.3pc and 8.2pc at Waitrose and John Lewis respectively.

Sir Charlie said both businesses had increased their customer numbers in the period, thanks to an increased online offering through the new Click & Collect Service. He also said the stores' loyalty card programmes had clinched more repeat business.

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