John Lewis sales down 0.2% last week
In a week of changeable weather John Lewis sales edged down 0.2% year-on-year last week.
Fashion sales were level with last year although there was a strong uplift in sales of women’s nightwear as Mother’s Day buying drove trade.
It was a tougher week for electrical and home technology where sales fell by 2.4%. However, small electrical sales were 9% up on last year supported by the retailer’s exclusive launch of the new Dyson dehumidifier. Audio and gaming sales were also strong boosted by a 19% rise in sales of headphones.
Meanwhile, home sales achieved an increase of 3.1% on last year with sales of gift food and stationery being particularly buoyant due to Mother’s Day buying. The outdoor living category continued its early run with outdoor building sales rising 600% on last year.
Looking at the shops, Ipswich, Exeter and Chester continued their strong starts to the year with sales increasing by 16.7%, 5% and 3.9% respectively. Online sales grew by 11.3%.
Christine Kasoulis, buying director for home at John Lewis, said: “Overall sales were broadly level with last year, a good achievement considering we were up against price-matching activity from last year, which came a week earlier this year.
“With the weekend’s good weather prompting spring purchases and Mothering Sunday and Easter around the corner, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the weeks ahead.”
