Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
As trade builds towards the Easter peak, John Lewis finished the week to April 5 up 9.3% on last year.
The department store group’s London branches in Oxford Street and Peter Jones both posted double-digit growth, while Swindon and Tamworth ‘continued to show the maturity strength’ of New Format branches. Online sales were up 24.6%, with Click & Collect accounting for over a third.
John Lewis Head of Retail Change Mark Blundell said the performance of the Home category benefited from the sale of big ticket lines especially in beds and fitted furniture. He added that the introduction of interest-free credit in floorcoverings proved popular and supported a 14% increase in this area, while demand for confectionery and gifting lines has started to build momentum in the lead-up to Easter. EHT (Electricals & Home Technology) was dominated by audio and large electrical goods.
“Looking ahead,” Mark Blundell concluded, “we have some fantastic opportunities as the schools break up for Easter and with the promise of good weather, we are well set to deliver with our seasonal outdoor living ranges”.
