Multichannel powers 12% rise in weekly sales at John Lewis

Fashion did well on Johnlewis.com, which recorded a sales uplift of 30% in the period to August 28, and the category was the best performer across the business, up 17%.

John Lewis head of multichannel Simon Russell said: “The powerhouse last week was without doubt johnlewis.com. Bricks and clicks were working together with a best-ever week for our free next-day Click & Collect service, which accounted for over 20% of all online orders that were sent to one of our 33 John Lewis and Waitrose collection points.”

Sales of home goods climbed 16.4%, partly stimulated by the debut of the latest home catalogue and there was a “brisk” start to trading at the retailer’s new small-format home store in Croydon.

Electricals and home technology goods were up 2.2%. The start of the new academic year drove demand for iPads and accessories.

Sales at grocery stablemate Waitrose advanced 6.8% to £90.2m in the week when the recently launched Duchy Originals from Waitrose proved popular.

The retailer reported that the range “has made a growing contribution” following its introduction over the last four weeks and now accounts for 20% of organic food sales.

By the end of the month there will be approximately 175 products available, rising to 225 by the end of the year. The brand was advertised on TV for the first time, backed by chef Heston Blumenthal.