John Lewis shoppers focus on back-to-school products and technology

Total sales at John Lewis & Partners were up 0.4% last week (to Saturday August 10) on the same week last year, with customers focusing on back-to-school products and technology.

The department store group’s trading director Simon Coble said: “Home sales were down 2.7% but textiles and home accessories were up 2.5% on the same week last year.

“Electrical and Home Technology sales were up 4.7%, driven by strong sales of hair care products, with personal care up overall 74%. It was also a good week for sales of televisions, up 21%, and large electrical products, up 12.4%.

“Fashion sales were down 1.2%. However menswear performed well, up 7.1%, and sales of women’s accessories were also up 3.1%.”