John Lewis sales up 12.7% last week while sales for the full year rise by 7.4%
Sales at John Lewis rose by 12.7% year-on-year last week as all stores recorded increases on the same week in the previous year, and online sales continued their strong performance.
While the Tamworth and Tunbridge Wells stores achieved the highest increases at 55.7% and 34.4% respectively, other shops putting in standout performances included Cambridge, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Bluewater, Solihull and Sheffield.
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In the home directorate, sales rose by 14.8% in the week helped by buoyant sales in furnishing. Electricals and home technology followed closely behind with an increase of 14.3% while fashion sales edged up 8.4%.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The week’s results meant that the retailer had a strong end to its trading year with sales increasing by 7.4% for the year as a whole by 8% for the half year period.
John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “For the year as a whole the shop story is one of delivering the best ‘like-for- like’ movement since the onset of the recession. Sixteen shops registered record years. The roll call included all the new format shops, those opened since 2007, maturing businesses in Trafford, Solihull, Glasgow and Norwich, and two cracking scores from the Central London flagships in Oxford Street and Peter Jones.
“Encouragingly, all three directorates will look forward to claiming share gains for the year when the market numbers are confirmed. Electricals and home technology was the stand-out success with a well balanced scorecard showing rapid growth in IT and electrical. Indeed, both electrical buyerships and audio/imaging have set a cracking pace.”
The fashion directorate finished second place for the year driven by strong sales in beauty, accessories, childrenswear and John Lewis branded products. Home sales were boosted by good performances from lighting and seasonal merchandise, and an increased momentum in furniture.
Street added: ”So, once again a team endeavour has delivered the performance we hoped for. That can never be taken for granted, so it’s appropriate for me to thank all John Lewis Partners for their contribution to it.
“The scoreboard is now set back to zero for the 2014–15 campaign, but we go into the new trading year with a precious commodity: momentum. Moreover, we have lots of plans to stand out from the crowd in 2014.”
