John Lewis sales rocket during home promotional event

The department store chain’s total sales jumped 23.1% in the week to October 5. Home sales rocketed 68.4% during the period, making it the biggest week for home sales this year.

Textiles and home accessories soared 80.1% and gifts, cooking and dining sales were up 46.6%. The retailer also recorded its first full week of Christmas shop sales – up 14% compared with the same week the previous year.

Electrical and home technology sales increased 4.6% bolstered by the sale of electrical products such as tumble dryers, which registered a 170% increase in sales.

However, Waitrose & Partners’ total sales fell 1.7% during the same period.

The grocer’s ambient food sales dipped 1.2% and non-ambient sales fell 1.6%. Its home and general merchandise sales slid 4.8% during the period. Sales of Waitrose & Partners No.1 ready meals soared 68%, which the grocer attributed to customers seeking out comfort food as the temperature dropped.

John Lewis Partnership total sales for the period increased 8.4% to £236.99m compared to sales of £218.58m the same period the previous year.