John Lewis sales edge up 0.2% last week
Sales at John Lewis rose by just 0.2% year-on-year last week as the hot weather and Wimbledon led footfall to drop away on Saturday after a stronger start to the week.
Electrical and home technology sales increased by 7.3%, helped by strong sales of cooling products and fridges. Sales of television were also buoyant despite tough comparatives from last year’s digital switchover.
In the home directorate sales dropped by 3%, despite a 66% increase in sales of outdoor living products and 300% increases in sales of deckchairs and Weber barbecues.
Fashion sales also fell in the week, edging down by 1.7%. Some of strongest performing products included sunglasses, women’s sandals and suncare, while own-brand menswear ranges delivered a 24% uplift on last year.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Online sales at johnlewis.com rose by 16% while Chester, Cambridge and Watford achieved the strongest growth in the stores.
Matthew McCormack, John Lewis buying director for fashion, said: “The fine weather and the excitement of sport both played their role in the sales number this week, delivering a marginal lift on the year for the division with sales reaching £71.7 million. But it’s true that the week started stronger than it ended with footfall dropping away on Saturday.
“As we head into the final week of Clearance, the division is ahead of plan and making way for new trans-seasonal deliveries.”
