John Lewis sales down 0.4% last week
Sales at John Lewis edged down 0.4% last week as the milder weather impacted sales of winter fashion ranges.
Of the stores achieving percentage increases on the same week last year, Ipswich, Swindon and Ashford were among the top performers with sales up 12%, 11.7% and 8.5% respectively.
Online sales rose by 8.5% as customers watched the retailer’s much anticipated Man on the Moon Christmas advert and shopped the new seasonal assortments.
Electrical and home technology sales crept up 0.9% on last year with the vision and large electrical categories performing particularly well. This was driven by an increase in tumble dryer sales.
In the home directorate, sales fell by 1% as textile and carpet sales both declined on the same week last year.
Meanwhile, fashion sales edged down 0.6% with the cold weather and outerwear assortments suffering due to the mild autumn weather. However, the nightwear and menswear categories continued their strong run.
Johnathan Marsh, buying director for EHT at John Lewis, said: “With our Man on The Moon Christmas advert successfully launched, branches fully decorated and stocked up with Christmas gifting and our best products ready to sell, we are well set to build momentum in the weeks ahead.”
