John Lewis reports bumper Christmas trading

The department store chain reported total sales up 15.8% for the period. Compared with two years ago, like-for-like sales were up 10.4% and total sales were up 16.4%.

Fashion sales, including beauty, were up 22%, while home was up 19.6% and electricals and home technology climbed 11.4%.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “We have seen excellent sales during Christmas and Clearance. Customers have responded extremely well to our offer and are clearly motivated by inspiring products, great value and exceptional service.”

He said several records had been broken over the five-week period. “Sales surpassed the £100m milestone on four separate weeks (the most recent being week ending 2 January 2010), and we beat our previous biggest ever week from 2007 in early December. As the year progresses we expect to see a long slow recovery, with the retailers who continue to focus on giving customers what they want prospering,” he said.

For the 13 weeks to January 2, like-for-like sales were up 12.2%, and total sales were up 15%. Compared with two years ago, like-for-like sales were up 3.4% and total sales were up 9.2%.

Street said the “strength of the John Lewis trading figures this Christmas is echoed by the performance of sister company Waitrose”. The grocer saw sales increase by 20.8% for the week ending December 26, compared with the same week last year.

The previous week, ending December 19, Waitrose sales were up by 16.5%. For the 13-week period ending December 26, total sales were up by 16.1%.