Cooler weather helps drive 5% sales uplift at John Lewis
John Lewis saw its sales climb by 5% year-on-year last week as trade was boosted by a change in temperature and continuing momentum from the retailer’s Bank Holiday campaign.
Stores achieving the strongest growth on last year included Sheffield, Exeter and Leicester while online sales grew by 17.5%.
Sales in the fashion directorate were up 8.7% overall with childrenswear and nursery achieving the highest growth across the categories. The lower temperatures and arrival of autumn drove the cold weather assortments up on last year, with the new own-brand assortments performing particularly well across menswear and womenswear.
Home sales rose by 7.5% as big ticket items drove the performance. Some of the best performing categories included furniture and premium bedding with high tog duvets selling particularly well online. In addition, the retailer said the new West Elm concession got off to a strong start.
Electricals and home technology fared less well with sales down 0.5% in the week. Sales in the tablets and computing category were down on last year but TV sales were buoyant as customers bought the latest big screens from Samsung and LG in preparation for the Rugby World Cup. The large electrical category continued its recent form with a strong laundry result driven by an increase in tumble dryer sales.
Johnathan Marsh, buying director for electricals and home technology at John Lewis, said: “Following the softer August trading conditions we are buoyed by the start to September and the rate at which our newness is growing within the assortment. This week is no exception with high profile launches from Charlotte Tilbury and Apple.”
