John Lewis sales boosted by final Black Friday deals

The department store chain raked in £172.1m during the seven days ending Saturday December 3 – a 3.9% jump year-on-year.

Although John Lewis ran fewer promotions outside of Black Friday compared to last year, its electricals and home technology department continued to benefit from the discounting frenzy.

Sales in the category surged 14.9%, with Apple, Sonos and Samsung products proving popular with customers.

But John Lewis’ other categories suffered contrasting fortunes, as sales fell across both its fashion and home ranges.

Fashion sales dropped 2.3% compared to the same week last year, which the department store chain blamed on a highly promotional comparable period in 2015.

Revenues in its home division slipped at the slower rate of 1.4% year-on-year, but furniture sales grew 7.7% as shoppers began preparing to welcome guests this Christmas.

Sales of inflatable beds rocketed 116%, sofa beds registered a 36% uplift and the retailer’s “best-selling” pillow climbed 18% on last year.

John Lewis’ sister retailer Waitrose reported a 0.2% sales dip during the same period, although seasonal Christmas products flew off the shelves.

The upmarket grocer recorded £140m in revenue excluding fuel last week, down from £140.33m during the same seven-day period a year ago.

Sales of festive cupboard staples including savoury snacks and Christmas biscuits rose 20% and 39% respectively, while frozen party food registered 15% growth.

Waitrose’s range of Heston Blumenthal Christmas cakes and puddings proved popular, with sales up 13% year-on-year.

Shoppers also eyed more practical purchases, with sales of turkey baking trays doubling compared to the same week in 2015 while alcohol sales also remained “strong”, with champagne jumping 25%.

The prosecco boom showed no signs of abating, with Waitrose’s prosecco lip balm and prosecco panettone both selling out.