John Lewis sales up 2.1% last week
John Lewis said its sales rose by 2.1% year-on-year last week despite a dip in trade mid-week.
In the shops, some of the best preforming branches included Sheffield, Ipswich and Milton Keynes where sales climbed by 8.8%, 6.2% and 5.4% respectively.
Online sales at johnlewis.com increased by 9.2%.
David Barford, director of selling for London and South at John Lewis, said: “This week saw the start of the school holidays for some and the anticipation of the holidays to come for others. We finished the week at 2.1% up on last year, with online leading the way at 9.2% up year-on-year. The start of the week was strong but we dipped back slightly midweek as we were up against colder weather sales last year.”
At the directorate level, fashion achieved the biggest percentage increase at 5.9% with double percentage growth coming from collaborations, swim and nightwear, women’s casualwear and women’s formalwear.
Home sales saw a 5% rise boosted by 7.6% growth in furniture sales with beds and bedroom, living, dining and upholstery all achieving double percentage increases.
Meanwhile, electrical and home technology sales were “challenging” and came in 4.3% down.
Barford added: “We look to be in for a spell of milder weather but as the school holidays end people start to think about the winter and Christmas to come and we are well placed with our shops and online having a real feel of Christmas about them.”
