John Lewis sales down by 13.7% last week
Sales at John Lewis declined by 13.7% year-on-year last week after the department store chain annualised strong sales due to last year’s earlier fall of Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Trading in the corresponding week last year also benefited from colder weather driving footfall into stores and a higher level of promotions.
Despite this, last week ended a record fortnight for sales of Mother’s Day gifts for the retailer, which were up 10% on the same two weeks last year.
Fashion sales rose by 3.9% in the week as customers bought gifts in the lead-up to Mother’s Day. Trade in the women’s accessory and jewellery categories was particularly buoyant, with sales up 18.2% and 38% respectively.
In contrast, home sales were down 19.7% overall although sales of Mother’s Day gifts climbed by 39.5% as the retailer saw strong demand for its Find Keep Give gift range, gift food products and Little Botanicals plants. In addition, the week’s warmer weather helped the retailer to achieve its best ever week in March for outdoor furniture and barbeques, with sales up by a respective 15% and 9% in the categories.
Meanwhile, electrical and home technology sales were down 25.4%, although the new Apple Airpods were very popular with customers after going on sale on Thursday.
