John Lewis sales up 16.8% last week
John Lewis saw its trade boosted by mixed weather and half term last week as sales rose by 16.8% year-on-year.
The retailer said its shops had a particularly good week and made the most of the additional footfall. Stores achieving the best year-on-year increases included High Wycombe, Tamworth, Newbury, Poole and Chichester.
Fashion sales climbed by 16.7% boosted by strong performances from nursery, beauty and women’s shoes. The retailer also enjoyed its biggest ever week for sunglasses despite the mixed weather.
The home directorate increased its sales by 12.2% as the cookshop and dining category recorded its best week of the year to date. Other categories achieving standout performances included gifting, lighting, beds and bed linen.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Electricals and home technology enjoyed its biggest week of the first half with a gain of 21.6% on last year. Sales of computing accessories rose by a healthy 25% while large electrical and small electrical also showed strong growth. Vision sales surged by 47% as shoppers bought new TVs in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Online sales increased by 34.6% boosted by a 49% increase in fashion sales.
Tim Harrison, head of retail implementation & format development at John Lewis, said: “A really good sales week up 17% year-on-year was the result of wet weather over a bank holiday and half term, aided by promotional activity. That performance moved the cumulative growth up 9% on last year.
“This week the weather continued to be mixed and the build-up to the World Cup will only intensify. On Wednesday we opened our new shop in Heathrow Terminal 2. Thank you to all the partners who have helped us get to this stage.”
