John Lewis sales slip despite upturn in fashion

The department store business said sales edged down 0.5% to £96.2m in the seven days to June 24.

The decline came despite a strong showing from its fashion proposition, which registered a 1.5% uplift in sales as both men’s and women’s casualwear recorded double-digit growth.

John Lewis also posted impressive sales within the swimwear and nightwear category, which jumped 26.5%.

Electricals and home technology revenues climbed 9.8%, driven by a record week for small electricals.

The hot weather sparked a surge in sales of fans, while the mobile and photography category enjoyed a 46.4% spike in revenues.

John Lewis said that was driven by a promotional offer on the new red iPhone.

However, sales in John Lewis’ home department proved the blot on the high-street bellwether’s copybook, falling 11.3%.

The department store group said they were heavily impacted by the earlier fall of the Clearance Sale in 2016.

Outdoor living bucked the trend, though, rocketing 39% as the heatwave tempted shoppers to splash the cash and spend time outside.

Waitrose

The sunny spell also buoyed sales at John Lewis’ stablemate Waitrose, which enjoyed a 5.5% rise in revenues to £132.2m during the same seven-day period.

Sales of suncare products almost trebled, while ice cream sales grew 66%.

Waitrose said its food-to-go range enjoyed its biggest-ever week, registering a 21% rise in sales.

The upmarket grocer said the sunny weather also prompted shoppers to purchase more fresh produce, with sales of salads and salad dressings up 20% and 21% respectively.

The beers, wines and spirits category had another “strong” week, as sales grew 16%.

That figure was boosted by a whopping 326% increase in sales of Pimm’s and a 97% spike in sales of ready-to-serve alcoholic drinks.