John Lewis sales dip by 0.5% last week
John Lewis sales dipped by 0.5% year-on-year last week as the sunny weather on Saturday impacted footfall.
Home sales increased by 3.7% boosted by good performances in furniture and beds. Home accessories and gifts also had a strong week on the back of continuing success in the outdoor living and lighting categories.
Electricals and home technology had a tougher week with sales down 5.3% on last year as the retailer continued to annualise strong vision sales in the run-up to last year’s World Cup.
The fashion directorate’s performance slowed slightly compared to recent weeks but still ended the week at 1.1% up on last year. Some of the best performing categories included wholesale womenswear and premium beauty.
Among the branches with increases on last year, Exeter led the way at 6.2% up. Online sales increased by 10.6%, driven predominantly by fashion.
Christine Kasoulis, buying director for Home, John Lewis, said: “We had a strong start to the week while the skies were grey. Sales then dipped on Saturday as the sun came out for most of us and footfall dropped off. This was against a strong Saturday last year, owing to wet weather.
“With promotional offers across the directorates continuing into this weekend, the weather looking promising for driving footfall into branches, and pay days coming around, we have plenty of reasons to be positive about the week ahead.”
