All of John Lewis’s shops put in a better year-on-year performance last week, when the department store chain’s sales rose 24.6% to £55.4m.
Peter Jones delivered the biggest rise of 38%, helped by the Chelsea Flower show, while Bluewater and Trafford both posted increases of just over 30%.
Fashion sales advanced 30% in the period to May 29, which also benefited from a calendar effect.
John Lewis merchandise director Jill Little said that competitor promotions had also helped create a “halo effect” for the retailer’s own-brand lines and poor weather prompted footfall.
Sales of home goods rose 24% in the week. Outdoor living lines and fitted furniture both performed strongly. Electricals and home technology notched up a 19% rise, “boosted by impressive sales of TVs, with the World Cup and confident marketing fuelling demand”.
TVs also sold well online. Altogether, online sales climbed 62.8% in the week.
Sister grocer Waitrose also benefited from a World Cup effect and posted a 12.4% sales rise over the week to £96.9m.
South African wine sales climbed 62% but “the real star performers” were South African hake fillets, up 558%.
Waitrose finance director Tom Athron said sales of sports magazines were up 120% over the week.
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