John Lewis has enjoyed a strong start to its post-Christmas clearance.

Online, visitor numbers were up 25% and sales up 45% on Christmas Day itself. Sales peaked between 9pm and 10pm. The online clearance began at 5pm on Christmas Eve and online sales that day were up 42%.

Clearance has also started well in the stores, with the business achieveing a record day’s sales on December 27. 12 branches achieved record sales numbers, while online transactions were nearly double the same day last year. Operational development director Lesley Ballantyne said TVs and electricals performed well, as did fashion, and that there was evidence that customers were enjoying being out and about again after the inclement weather.

Pre-Christmas the chain performed well, recovering well after the distruption from the snow to deliver sales up 30.6%in the week to Christmas Day compared to the same week last year, although this was helped by an additional trading day. Nine stores achieved record pre-Christmas trading days, including all three London branches.

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