“Phenomenal” fashion sales at John Lewis last week helped the department store chain post a 30% rise in turnover year on year, 21% ahead of Easter week in 2009.

All John Lewis shops, headed by Bluewater which notched up a 46.3% sales increase, delivered a rise to bring revenues in the week to April 3 to £59m.

Fashion was up 22%, powered by own-brands. Bad weather lifted sales of outerwear and knitwear.

Sales of home products were 24% ahead of last Easter. Competitor price-matching drove performance in cooking and dining.

Electricals and home technology was 19% ahead of last Easter. The vision category was an especially strong performer.

Online sales were up 57.1% and fashion was again a strong performer, up 131%. Shoes did well and the online debut of the Whistles and Mango brands was a success.

Sister grocery chain Waitrose reported a 34.4% sales rise to £109m in the week, 12.8% ahead of Easter week last year.

Easter confectionery was up 22.5% and sales of Fairtrade eggs surged by 32%. Other seasonal food, such as lamb, was popular.

Waitrose also benefited from its latest ad featuring Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal, which contributed to a 330% rise in grape sales and a 65% increase in Essential Waitrose large chickens.

Topics