John Lewis sales down 0.2% last week
John Lewis saw its sales slip by 0.2% year-on-year last week as the warm weather at the start of the week impacted footfall.
However, trade improved towards the end of the week as the weather cooled and the retailer undertook a price matching exercise against a competitor’s promotions.
Fashion sales increased by 4.8% boosted by strong sales of children’s clothing and shoes. Sales of own-brand women’s fashions were also buoyant while haberdashery continued to benefit from the ‘Great British Sewing Bee’ effect.
Electrical and Home Technology sales rose 4.7% despite strong comparatives from the same week last year, which saw very high tablet sales and was a peak digital switchover week.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The Home directorate found the going tougher with a 9.4% decline in sales.
In the shops, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Aberdeen were some of the best performers due to the cooler weather in the north of the UK although there were also good results in Swindon and Solihull. Online sales grew by 8.2 % as the free next-day Waitrose Click & collect service more than doubled last year’s volumes.
Simon Russell, director, retail operations development, said: “The warm bank holiday weekend weather, contrasted with the cooler damp conditions we experienced last year, meant sales just fell shy of last year with footfall much quieter over the week.
“This week has got off to a much stronger start and we are well placed for the week ahead.”
