John Lewis weekly sales up 9.9%

John Lewis sales for last week (to April 30) were £84.6m – up 9.9% year-on-year – as customers took advantage of the Bank Holiday and the department store group price-matched a competitor’s promotional activity.

Home sales were up 9.4% year-on-year with furniture up 21.7% and gifting up 9.6%. With the weather improving slightly over the weekend, outdoor living sales were up 6.2%. Gift food and wall decor also performed well with sales up 14.6% and 14.4%.

EHT (Electricals & Home Technology) had a strong week, with sales up 13% on the year. Within this, Communication Technology was a key performer, driven by good performances for tablets & computers and accessories. Large electricals also ended the week up 10.8% year-on-year.

Fashion sales finished the week up 8.9% on last year. Beauty, Wellbeing and Leisure performed well, up13.4%, and womenswear was up 12.2% year-on-year.

John Lewis head of retail development Mark Blundell commented: “It was a week of two halves, with cold weather products selling well at the beginning of the week, and our summer ranges doing better as the sun came out over the weekend.”