John Lewis sales flat last week
John Lewis has reported flat sales in the week ending 25 February following the earlier than usual half term the week before.
Overall, however, there was a difference between the three buying directorates, with Electrical and Home Technology enjoying the best performance with a 12.1 % increase on the same week last year.
However, Fashion and Home were both down 3.6% with the stronger areas being beauty, nursery, home accessories and gifts, and cooking and dining.
Online sales at Johnlewis.com rose 39% in the week with a consistent pattern across all merchandise groups while the best preforming stores were Knight & Lee and Poole with increases of 10.9% and 7.4% respectively.
Nat Wakely, director, selling operations, region A, John Lewis said: “Not surprisingly it was a less attention-grabbing headline last week following our fabulous result the week before, given the change in timing of half term for most of our shops.
“In spite of that, finishing with level sales on last year was entirely respectable, and means we end February with a pleasing +5.7% on last year.”
