John Lewis sales up 1.1% last week as weather disrupts trade
Sales at John Lewis edged up 1.1% year-on-year last week as high winds and blizzard conditions in parts of the UK disrupted trading.
Online sales rose by 10.5% driven by new lines in the fashion category and by cold weather clothing.
The retailer said trading was tougher in the shops but the full-line stores in Leicester and Southampton continued to benefit from clearance footfall, achieving increases of 4.6% and 3.4% respectively. There were also positive results from Swindon, Croydon and Exeter.
Looking at the directorates, the strongest uplift came from fashion with an overall sales increase of 4.9% on last year. The stand-out performers were babywear, up 38%, and nursery, up 26%, while menswear sales were also buoyant, rising by 5.5%. Across the board, new lines were also popular with customers.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Home sales climbed by 3.9% boosted by a 30% increase in sales of floor coverings.
Electricals and home technology fared less well with sales declining by 3.5%, although large electricals and small electricals achieved respective increases of 9.8% and 9%.
Maggie Porteous, director of selling, North and new format at John Lewis, said: “With clearance now behind us and new stocks starting to flood in we are starting to feel the new season strongly both in our shops and on our website. And with the launch of our latest Home catalogue this week, the spring season will get a real kick start!”
