John Lewis sales spurred by fashion and electricals

The retailer said total revenues jumped 5.9% year-on-year to £75.6m in the seven days to August 12.

Fashion sales climbed 7.5%, thanks to a 21.5% surge in womenswear.

John Lewis said the increase was partially driven by the unseasonal weather, which prompted a jump in demand for outerwear.

The menswear category also performed strongly, growing revenues 8.1%.

Electrical and home technology registered a similar sales boost, advancing 9.2% across the week.

The vision sub-category was the biggest beneficiary, as sales of TVs spiked 17.7%.

Revenues garnered from communications technology also grew 12.7%, as sales of Apple MacBooks grew 53%.

John Lewis also posted an increase in sales in its home department, although they climbed at the slower rate of 1%.

Waitrose rise

Sister retailer Waitrose’s sales edged up 0.4% excluding fuel to £123.36m during the same week.

The upmarket grocer drove footfall with a 25% off promotion on its premium Waitrose 1 range, as coffee, biscuits and pasta proved popular with shoppers.

Waitrose said customers opted for “convenient” meal options amid mixed weather and a number of televised sporting events, including the World Athletic Championships, helping provide a 25% boost to Asian ready meals.

Beers, wines and spirits were also popular category, with gin and malt whisky sales up 24% and 18% respectively.