John Lewis sales up 22% as it benefits from weak comparatives

The numbers are against weak comparatives from last year when the week was impacted by heavy snowfall.

The department store retailer said its online business was 36% up on last year driven by sales of electricals, while overall electricals and home technology was the top performer overall across the categories led by tablets. John Lewis added that the new Microsoft Office launch had boosted sales of imaging, headphones, small electrical, white goods and accessories.

John Lewis said fashion was particularly strong in stores last week, particularly own brand, delivering and overall sales increase of 13.5%. New spring and summer merchandise was up 25% led by menswear. Handbag sales stood out, surging 40%.

Home generated double-digit growth on all main areas except furniture. Lighting came top, recording its best ever weekly performance in spring with sales soaring 20% on last year.

Sales at its sister supermarket chain Waitrose advanced 12.7% excluding petrol to £112.5m as customers prepared for the Chinese New Year, Shrove Tuesday and Valentine’s Day.

Expected snowfall also triggered shoppers to stock up on food with sales of instant coffee up 42% and frozen bread up 62%. Sales of slow-cooked meats also surged 62%. But this didn’t stop shoppers buying ice cream, sales of which increased 25%.

Valentine’s Day confectionary sales jumped 28%, with the 69p heart-shaped chocolate lollipop particularly popular.