John Lewis sales up 15.6% last week
John Lewis said the mixed bag of weather last week played to its advantage as sales rose 15.6% year-on-year.
In the shops, some of the best performing branches were High Wycombe, Newbury and Poole where sales rose by 51.6%, 31.6% and 23% respectively. Online sales were up 28.1% boosted by a 60% uplift in click and collect orders.
The retailer said its 150th anniversary weekend went off well. Sales on Sunday were particularly strong as customers snapped up items from the special 150 year assortment which celebrates the milestone.
During the week, sales increased by 16.1% in the electricals and home technology buying group driven by buoyant trade in audio and gaming, vision, and large and small electrical items.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Within the home buying group, sales climbed by 19.5% with furniture the best performing category. Sales of fitted furniture surged by 87.5% while upholstery sales increased by 46.4%. There were also solid uplifts in bed and bathroom, cooking and dining, and textiles and carpets.
Meanwhile, fashion sales rose by 12.4% with all of the main categories achieving an increase on last year. Womenswear saw the best growth at 16.1%, followed by men’s and sports at 15.7%, and women’s accessories at 12.5%.
David Barford, John Lewis director of selling for London and the South, said: “Looking ahead, this weekend promises to be warmer, putting us in a good place to maximise our summer assortments with customers beginning to focus on outdoor activities.”
