Department store group John Lewis said the election and unsettled weather impacted sales the week ending May 9.
John Lewis said it was a “week of two halves”, with a positive start thanks to in-store bank holiday events and good weather driving sales of its outdoor living collection, which was up 10% on the year.
But the second half of the week was disrupted by a change in weather and the general election, which it said slowed footfall and sales. But the retailer still reported a 1.1% rise on sales on the previous year.
Fashion fell 0.4% on the year. John Lewis held price matching activities the week before which it said pulled forward sales. Meanwhile, men’s shoes sales rose 10%, jewellery was up 9% and following the Royal Baby, both babywear and nursery categories increased 16% and 18% respectively.
Online sales rose 17% across all departments, with fashion up 16%.
Trade at Waitrose was hit by tough comparatives and the continued drag of food deflation, leading sales to fall 0.4% year on year.
But the warm bank holiday led to an increase in Champagne by 17%, while Argentinian wines increased by 58%, world beer by 10% and local beers by 17%.
Garden plants saw a substantial sales increase of 62% as people made the most of the sunshine earlier in the week.
Waitrose said customers seem to be wanting healthier options with healthy ice cream sales rising 17%. Raspberry sales jumped 18% year-on-year, while dried fruit and nuts increased 28%.
No comments yet