John Lewis sales up 7.3% last week
A break in the wet weather combined with February half term helped John Lewis sales to rise by 7.3% year-on-year last week.
Sales in the retailer’s stores were slightly up, boosted by half term footfall, while sales at johnlewis.com climbed 29.1% driven mostly by a 45.2% increase in online fashion sales.
Electricals and home technology was the best performing directorate with sales rising 13.2% overall with double-digit growth in most areas. Sales of tablet computers were particularly strong while sales across the board were boosted by the retailer’s marketing campaign promoting a three-year guarantee.
Home sales edged up 0.5% driven, in part, through an 8.4% rise in lighting sales. Meanwhile, fashion sales closed up 8.3% with every buying group outperforming the year. Womenswear sales performed particularly well, rising by 13.6% as customers bought from the new spring collections.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Sales of childrenswear, toys and craft sales were boosted by the release of The Lego Movie which drove an 80% increase in sales of items related to the film and a 50% uplift in Lego sales.
Dino Rocos, operations director at John Lewis, said: “The week provided a great end to the first trading period of the year, putting us in a good position for the year to come. New product is arriving daily, providing that pop of colour and intrigue to brighten our customers’ days. As the clouds begin to part and we see that glimmer of sunshine, we know that spring is truly on its way and judging by this week, we are perfectly set for it.”
