Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Brisk trade, both in shops and online, resulted in an 18% year-on-year growth in sales last week (to June 7) for department store group John Lewis.
Director of retail operations development Simon Russell said: “The weather was in our favour, with occasional rain driving footfall into branches, while the sun stimulated strong seasonal performances.”
Online sales grew by 31%, helped by strong traffic growth to the website, and shops recorded one of their best increases this year at 13.6%. High Wycombe led the way for the full-line department stores with a 43% increase, with strong results at Stratford, Glasgow and Cribbs Causeway too.
However, it was the ‘at home’ shops that dominated the top performers with Croydon, Poole and Tamworth all around 40% up.
Electrical and Home Technology led the buying areas with a 25% increase driven by white goods, cooling, beverage makers and tablets. Television sales also grew sharply, as excitement for the World Cup grows.
The Home assortments grew strongly, with sales up 16%. Upholstery and beds stood out within furniture, while textiles and lighting were also popular. There was also strong gifting trade for Father’s Day.
Simon Russell added: “This week also saw the exciting opening of our first airport shop at Heathrow T2. Takings were very strong in the first few days and comfortably ahead of our target. The 150-year celebration products were proving very popular with staff and passengers along, with ‘British’ themed gifting products: we sold four teapots on the first day of trade!”
