John Lewis unveils bumper last-minute Christmas sales

In the week to December 23, sales at John Lewis department stores jumped 8.9% to £191.3m.

The retailer said this was driven by “strong performances in all three product categories”, as last-minute Christmas shoppers made a dash for stores and made use of the firm’s extended click-and-collect service.

Fashion sales were up 8.8% year on year, with particularly strong performances in own-brand womenswear – up 26% – cold weather clothing – up 18% – and cashmere – also up 18%.

Home sales were up 7% on last year, led by strong performances in cookware, Christmas wrapping, alcohol and chocolate gifts.

Electricals and home technology surged 11.3%, driven by a record sales week in audio.

Trading in the following week to December 30 was more subdued, with sales slipping 0.4% year on year to £137.9m.

The retailer put this down to snowfall in some parts of the country, and insisted its clearance Sales had started well.

It enjoyed a “record sales week” in womenswear, but home sales declined 4.5%. 

Waitrose

Waitrose achieved a marginal 0.5% sales increase year on year in the week preceding Christmas, generating £247m.

In the week after, sales jumped 3.5% to £113.9m, driven, the grocer said, by Christmas Eve falling in the second week, compared with the first week last year.

John Lewis Partnership

Across the partnership, sales increased 4% to £438.5m in the week before Christmas. 

In the seven days to December 30, total sales edged up 1.3% to £251.8m.

The retail group will give a full update on Christmas trading on January 11.