Total sales for John Lewis were down 2.2% last week (to Saturday June 23) on the same week last year.
The department store group product director Sienne Veit said: “‘Clearance’ got off to a good start but sales slowed at the weekend due to the hot weather.”
Sienne noted that Home sales were down 3.7% but added: “In the coming weeks we expect to see a rise in sales of upholstery products as our ‘special buy’ offers helped drive orders up 35%. Clearance also drove good sales of lighting products and beds which were up 19% and 7.5% respectively. Gifts, Cook and Dine sales were up 4%.”
For Electrical and Home Technology, sales were down 3.4%. But sales of TVs continued to be up, with large screen TVs selling particularly well. “Strong offers” also drove sales of vacuum cleaners and mobile phones up.