John Lewis weekly sales rise as sports and warm weather drive revenues

Sales across the Partnership rose 3.1% to £214.3m year-on-year during the week ending July 9.

John Lewis sales climbed 4.7% to £85m as Summer Clearance offers continued to drive customers in store.

Fashion sales increased 9.6% during the period, with branded womenswear items delivering the strongest performance in the category, recording 23.3% growth.

John Lewis said that warm weather items such as sandals and sunglasses were also “selling well”, while menswear items reported a 12.6% uplift in sales.

After slipping 0.1% in the week after Brexit, sales of electricals and home technology returned to growth last week.

The category posted a 3% uplift on last year as sales of audio products such as headphones jumped 14.4%, while communication technology rose 15.4% driven by tablet purchases.

Home sales posted a 1.7% increase in sales driven by Clearance and Special Buy products, as well as purchases of beds. Home accessories and gifts also sold well, advancing 6% on last year.

Waitrose’s Wimbledon win

Sister retailer Waitrose reported a 2.1% rise in total sales excluding fuel to £129.2m as a weekend of sports drove food and drinks purchases at the retailer.

The upmarket grocer said that the respective Wimbledon and Euro 2016 finals helped drive sales of sparkling wine and champagne, which were up 27% and 19% respectively.

Home and non-food ranges rose 7.9% helped by soaring sales of outdoor toys, which jumped 132% on last year.

Waitrose’s fresh produce sales also increased 4.6% due to increased purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables.