John Lewis blames sport and heatwave for sales fall last week
John Lewis saw its sales plunge by 8.7% year-on-year last week as the combination of sporting events and the summer heatwave dampened trade.
With all three buying directorates recording decreases on last year, Home saw the biggest drop with sales down by 13.2% despite strong demand for outdoor living products.
Although fashion sales fell by 7.3% overall, the heat prompted buoyant sales of swimwear, linens and sun care as well as record sales of sunglasses which were up 347%.
In Electricals and Home Technology, sales declined by 3.6% although cooling products achieved a record week, and in small electrical juicing products also sold strongly.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Online sales at johnlewis.com edged up 3.2%.
Maggie Porteous, John Lewis director of selling for north and new format, said: “What a fabulous week for sports lovers if not for retailers!
“With the festival of sport and with the most glorious heatwave weather it was not surprising to see a heavy deficit on trade from last year at -8.7%.
“The beautiful weather is set to continue, offering our customers many temptations outside. We will therefore need to work hard to tempt customers online or in to store, and once there to wow them with our fabulous products and knowledgeable service.”
