Home sales are on the up for John Lewis

Department store group John Lewis described the week to May 24 as “strong” with sales up 14% on the year.

Home sales rose 11%, with big ticket items in furniture up 15%. The warmer weather drove sales in filled bedding (up 26%) as customers picked up lighter weight duvets, and the prospect of the last long bank holiday weekend for a while led to healthy outdoor living sales, up 14%.

Online sales were up 31% on the year, and John Lewis operations director Dino Rocos noted that in particular, home sales were up 30%, “with customers determined to enjoy the bank holiday despite the weather, as sales on barbecues were up 99% and outdoor furniture was up 40%.”

Dino Rocos added: “We ended the month on a positive note: refreshed from the bank holiday weekend, feeling energetic and prepared for the busy weeks ahead which begin with the half term break [last] week.”