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.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!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.”
