Cookshop sales up 16% at John Lewis as hydration products prove a hit

Total sales for John Lewis last week (to Saturday April 7) were up 3.6% on last year, despite one less day of trading due to the timing of Easter.

The department store group’s director of shop trade Maggie Porteous said: “Home was down 1.4%, although textiles and home accessories were up 5.9% with bed linen up 17%. Cookshop also had a good week (+16%) and hydration, which includes reusable bottles, saw sales rise by 23%.”

EHT (electricals and Home Technology) was up 15.6%, driven by particularly strong sales over Easter. Maggie commented: “Audio and connected home performed well and vision was also up on last year, with customers making the most of the compelling promotions in this buying category.

“Elsewhere, small electricals had a positive week with coffee machines, food prep and vacuum cleaners all seeing an uplift in sales.”

Fashion was down 3.2%, largely due to the cooler weather compared with the same period last year. Cold weather clothing was up 9% with womenswear overall up 1.8%. Premium accessories had “a good week, with watches up 27% and handbags also performing well”.