John Lewis sales surge as electricals and fashion grow

The department store chain’s sales jumped 8.5% to £90.6m in the week ending October 15.

Electricals and home technology enjoyed a 19.5% spike in sales, bolstered by new product launches.

Sales rocketed 28.1% in John Lewis’s audio and connected home category as Nest devices flew of the selves.

Fashion sales grew 7.7% compared to the same week last year as shoppers snapped up lines they could wrap up warm in as colder weather started to set in.

Sales increased 12% on cool weather lines, while womenswear posted a 16.6% uplift. Beauty also registered a “strong” week, with sales growing 10.7%.

John Lewis said sales in its home division were “more challenging”, suffering a 0.5% dip.

However, lighting outperformed the rest of the category after recording a 6.4% incline in sales.

Sister retailer Waitrose also enjoyed a jump in revenues during the week, with total sales climbing 3.9% to £126.5m.

The upmarket grocer said milder weather, which was on average two degrees higher than the same week last year, drove a 7.8% uplift in sales of fresh produce.

Waitrose’s horticultural ranges also proved popular, with bouquet sales up 47% and house plants blossoming by 13%.

Customers also started stocking up on alcohol for the festive season, with spirits emerging as the standout category after sales advanced 10%.

Within the category, malt whisky sales grew 42%, while sales of gin spiked 17%.