Fashion drives strong week for John Lewis while lottery win boosts Waitrose bacon butty sales

The retailer reported that in the week to February 20, 23 of its stores beat budget, 24 were up year-on-year and 10 beat the comparable 2008 performance. The Bluewater shop led, reporting a “resounding” 21.7% increase on last year.

Across the business, fashion performed strongly and rose 21% and fashion sales on Johnlewis.com soared 123%.

Home was ahead 19% and electricals and technology was up 4%.

John Lewis director of operational development Andrew Murphy said: “The third week of our new trading year saw the continuation of our good form.

“With the majority of schools on half-term break, matching the timing of last year’s holiday, our shops enjoyed good footfall throughout the week and this converted to strong sales, with each day seeing double-digit growth on the corresponding day from 2009.”

Sister chain Waitrose posted a 13.7% sales rise to £86.7m for the week. The start of Fairtrade Fortnight drove sales of ethical lines and fairtrade products were up 17.5%.

Some traditional favourites also did well, for unusual reasons. Waitrose supply chain director Mark Williamson said: “It seems that our shoppers have been trying to emulate the success of EuroMillions lottery winner, Nigel Page.

“The first thing he did to celebrate winning £56m was to take his family for a bacon butty at the café in Waitrose Cirencester. Sales of bacon butties across our coffee shops were up by 19 per cent last week, and at Cirencester they rocketed by 55 per cent.

“Lottery ticket sales at the branch also went up by 38 per cent following his big win.”