Department store John Lewis sales dip 0.3% as fashion revenue plunges while Comic Relief helps Waitrose sales soar

The figures are pitted against Mother’s Day and an iPad launch last year but the retailer also referred to the “extended winter weather” this year as a factor.

Fashion had the toughest trading across its departments, according to the retailer, with sales dipping 6% over the week. John Lewis said Mother’s Day and price matching activity last year combined with “poor weather” this year particularly impacted womenswear, which plunged 10% and accessories, which plummeted 14%.

To highlight the impact the weather had on sales, the retailer said that its biggest growth came from knee-length coats, which soared 140% year on year and gloves, which jumped 40%.

Menswear fared better with sales increasing 8% with outerwear and knitwear experiencing the strongest growth.

Electricals and home technology was John Lewis’ best performing area up 2.6% over the year with small electricals soaring 38%. Large electricals jumped 19% and imaging rocketed 65%.

The department store said heating sales were up 172% this year which it said was down to the unseasonable weather.

Home sales edged up 2.1% over the week with bed linen leaping 17% and floor coverings increased 12%. However, John Lewis said that cooking, dining, home accessories and gifting were impacted by the comparison with Mother’s Day last year.

Online sales increased 6.5% with a 50% increase in click-and-collect orders and a 85% jump in orders collected through Waitrose.

John Lewis buying and brand director Peter Ruis said: ”With Easter on the horizon, our marketing campaign launching this week and availability in a really strong position, we’re well set for a good result over this important trading period.”

Meanwhile, sister retailer Waitrose sales, excluding petrol, rose 8.3% boosted by do-gooders baking for Comic Relief along with the climax of the Six Nations rugby tournament.

Home baking jumped 30%, which Waitrose marketing director Rupert Thomas put down to shoppers making cakes to raise funds for Comic Relief. Sales of its Essential range’s red food colouring increased 36% on last week and red edible glitter flakes soared more than 80%, he said.

The finale to the Six Nations led to fresh pizzas increasing10% and beer sales up 12%. Waitrose.com food orders were up by a staggering 50.8% year on year.

The cold weather was also evident in Waitrose, with sales of tinned soup sales soaring 32% while slow cooked meats leapt 28%.