John Lewis sales jump as shoppers buy last-minute Christmas bargains

In the week ending December 19 John Lewis’ sales were up 7% year on year to £171.8m as online revenue soared 30.3%.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “Customers clearly want to keep shopping right through to Christmas Eve, and with the final few shopping days left we are expecting our shops to be incredibly busy as people are off work.”

To accommodate last-minute purchases John Lewis is extending its click-and-collect deadline to 8pm on December 23, meaning shoppers can pick up items in store on Christmas Eve from 2pm onwards.

Sector breakdown

Sales of electricals and home technology rose 16.2%, driven by an increase in gifting items ahead of Christmas. Gaming and video consoles led the way with a 180% leap in sales, while connected home sales increased113.6%.

Star Wars toys sold strongly as sales climbed 68% week-on-week, the department store group said. Electronic accessories sales were also up 18%, driven by sales of Star Wars’ BB8 Droid.

Tablets and computer sales increased 19.6% and food preparation sales were up 56%, buoyed by purchases of juicers and mixers.

Home sales were up 5.1% driven by furniture, which jumped 20.1%. Gifting sales increased 4.8% and Christmas purchases and seasonal items rose 6.6% and 5.8% respectively.

Fashion grew 1.9% overall despite the mild weather. Womenswear sales led the way with an increase of 5.3% while beauty gifting sales rose 13%.