Jubilee drives strong week at John Lewis

The extra footfall from shoppers on holiday combined with the rain, some strong assortment promotions and Father’s Day and the Olympic-related spending to provide the uplift, the company said.  

Swindon, Poole and Croydon all saw significant uplifts in sales but John Lewis said it was “tough going” at its central London stores due to the Jubilee celebrations taking place.

Online sales grew 47.2% in the week to June 9. Home sales rose 13.6% driven by sales of on-promotion garden furniture.

John Lewis said electricals remain in a “purple patch”, with sales up 46.6% driven by sales of large TVs purchased for both the European Championships and Olympics.

Fashion sales faced a “tough” week, recording a 3.9% uplift buoyed mainly by a 23.3% increase in childrenswear sales.

John Lewis new format head of selling operations Maggie Porteous said: “The Jubilee effect was not so strong for our central London branches. Indeed, it was tough going for Oxford Street and Peter Jones – their customers were no doubt lining the banks of the Thames watching the River Pageant or the streets of London as the Queen passed by in the carriage procession.

“With the Jubilee now behind us, our thoughts are turning to the Summer of Sport and in particular Euro 2012 and London 2012. These events, coupled with our own clearance, which starts next week, mean that we should be able to keep up great momentum on the sales front.”

Sales at sister grocer Waitrose rose a “respectable” 2.3% last week, with demand for barbecue meats and bread rolls up 34% and 20% respectively despite the bad weather.

The grocer’s online sales rose 14% on last year.

Waitrose commercial director Mark Williamson said: “The celebratory mood and start to Euro 2012 helped boost sales of alcohol last week with bottled lager lifted by 60%, cider by 32% and wine by 20%.

“Increased leisure time during the half-term week gave people plenty of time to put their feet up with newspapers and magazines benefiting and some titles’ souvenir editions seeing a 78 per cent spike in demand.”