A ‘challenging’ July for John Lewis

Sales in the week to July 20 proved to be less affected by the weather than the previous week for department store group John Lewis. But sales still suffered a 1.2% drop, thanks to high temperatures across most of the country impacting on customer interest.

In contrast, sales for Johnlewis.com sales rose 9%. Online, both electricals and womenswear stood out. For the shops, customer footfall was challenging, with catering operations showing a reverse, as eating alfresco was the preferred pastime.

In terms of best selling products, it was ‘anything related to the heat and the outdoors’. So in electricals, the star turns were cooling products, where John Lewis doubled its previous record week. Cameras continued their cracking run, while the health craze for juicers and the practical need for refrigeration propelled trade.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street said: “So, taking the four weeks of July together, trade has certainly been challenging. But our merchandising teams have done an excellent job in managing stocks through unpredictable conditions.

“Therefore we will go into the new half ready to welcome new products and, as ever, customers will be excited by just what we will be delivering in the second half.”