Winter warmers drive John Lewis sales

John Lewis.com sales grew 28.5%, with beauty motoring, up 56%.

Electricals, home and technology was the best performing category, rising 20.8%, helped by a rise in demand for heat-related products as the cold weather set in. IT also performed strongly.

Fashion was up 8.2% driven by sales of winter warmers, and the introduction of new spring ranges. Men’s accessories was the best performing category in fashion, with sales rising 38%.

Home sales were up 1.2%, aided by strong growth in bed linen, beds and seasonal gift food.

Three branches notched up double digit growth. Croydon sales rose 19.1%, followed by Poole at 17.4% and Southampton as 13.1%.

Sister chain Waitrose had a strong week, with sales surging 12% to £96.55m as shoppers stocked up on warming comfort foods as the cold weather bit.

Sales of stewing meats were up 52%. Hot pies and pizzas also grew strongly, as did traditional British ready meals, which rocketed 102%.

Waitrose is looking forward to Valentine’s Day next week, and claimed it is the first retailer to sell fresh rose petals.

Sales of Valentine’s confectionery were up 50% last week and its range of £1 cards are selling “particularly well”, according to Rupert Thomas, Waitrose marketing director.

Last week the upmarket grocer opened a full line shop in Walton-le-Dale, Preston, as well as a Little Waitrose shop at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich.