John Lewis sales up 6.9% last week
John Lewis said it saw strong trade in both in its shops and online last week with sales finishing 6.9% up year-on-year.
Online sales climbed by 22.6% boosted by good availability and buoyant trade across the retailer’s clearance sale assortments.
Sales in the shops edged up 0.7% on last year with 19 branches achieving year-on-year growth. Stores with the biggest percentage increases included Leicester, Southampton and Stratford where sales rose by 18.3%, 9.2% and 6% respectively.
Barry Matheson, director of retail services at John Lewis, said: “Across the estate it would seem that the combination of inconsistent weather, alongside the first wave of schools breaking up, really drove our customers back in to shops.”
Within the buying directorates, fashion led the way with growth of 10.5% as menswear and women’s accessories both posted double-digit increases.
Home sales rose by 2% with accessories and gifting both performing well.
Meanwhile, electricals and home technology sales climbed by 9.4% boosted by strong performances across communications technology and electricals.
Matheson added: “As we move out of the final week of Clearance the focus now is very much on newness and bringing new product and inspiration to the fore.”
