John Lewis posted a surge in sales last week as Mother’s Day boosted performance within a number of the department store’s categories.
The retailer said sales in the week to March 5 advanced 7.7% to £78.2m, driving particularly “strong” sales in fashion and home, which reported uplifts of 9.8% and 11.7% respectively year on year.
Handbags and jewellery proved popular gift choices as sales jumped 24.2% and 21.1%. Fragrances also sold well, providing a boost to John Lewis’s beauty category.
In home, cooking and dining registered 14.2% growth compared to the same week in 2015. Sales of roasting products spiked 54% during the seven-day period as shoppers prepared to celebrate Mother’s Day with a traditional Sunday roast.
John Lewis added that sales within electricals and home technology edged up 2.3%, driven by “strong” performance from audio products.
Sister retailer Waitrose also enjoyed a sales boost as Mother’s Day fell earlier than last year.
The upmarket grocer’s sales were up 10.2% excluding fuel in the week ending March 5 as Waitrose stores reported its biggest ever day of flower sales on Saturday. Compared to the equivalent day last year, sales jumped 13%.
Despite the weather still feeling like the depths of winter for much of the country, the grocer’s spring produce also proved popular, as fresh produce sales increased 20% compared to last year.
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