John Lewis sales dip exacerbated by fashion and home

The department store retailer recorded a 0.9% dip in sales year-on-year to £89.1m in the week to October 7.

Fashion sales were down 2.7%, which the retailer attributed to unseasonably warm weather. However, its own-brand fashion label Kin reported a 55% sales jump.

John Lewis’ home division posted a 2.5% decline, although sales of its Halloween product increased 30%.

The department store retailer’s electricals and home technology category was the only one to record a rise in sales and was up 2.4%.

A boost in electrical sales was sparked by demand for Apple products including the iPhone 8, as well as kettles and coffee machines.

Waitrose

Stablemate Waitrose posted a 1.5% rise in sales to £128m, driven by customer appetite for online and in-store promotions.

Beers, wines and spirits were highlighted as strong performers, with sales of rum up 42% and tequila and whisky both up 36%.

Sales of meat, fish, frozen and dairy products edged up 0.4% and bakery items also sold well, with demand for Portuguese custard tarts spurred by the sweet treat being featured in last week’s episode of the Great British Bake Off.

Sales across the Partnership edged up 0.5% to £217m.