A 47.4 per cent surge in online trading helped department store chain John Lewis record a double digit sales increase last week, results released today reveal.
Waitrose, the grocery arm of the John Lewis Partnership, also produced strong sales in the seven days to January 21st 2012 with trading rising 8.7 per cent year-on-year, meaning overall sales for the group increased 9.6 per cent.
Johnlewis.com recorded huge jumps in all products areas but fashion and electrical & home technology were the standout product categories seeing trading growth of 71 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.
Sales of electricals also soared in stores, with bricks and mortar trading in this category up 22 per cent during the week, with Nat Wakely, Director of Selling Operations for Region A at John Lewis, keen to highlight this division‘s recent strength.
“Electrical and home technology has really seen a return to form of late, with last week seeing small electrical passing their full year stretch target and imaging hopefully starting a significant turnaround following worldwide issues in their supply base last year,” Wakely said.
“ IT, however, was the definite star of the show at +90 per cent, with computers doubling their trade from a year ago, while TVs are clearly benefiting from another round of digital switchover and bolstered by the issues surrounding VAT a year ago.”
Half of the 32 John Lewis store which have been open for more than 12 months saw sales increase during the week, with Knight & Lee the top performing full-product store with growth of 14.6 per cent year-on-year, while homewares stores in Croydon and Poole saw sales rise 15.2 per cent and 13.8 per cent respectively.
Although electricals led the way last week John Lewis will be pleased that fashion and home products both saw decent increases in trading, and with clearance out the way the group is beginning to focus on future challenges.
Wakely added: “Looking ahead, Valentine‘s Day will be the next main calendar feature, although currently stocktaking is probably on more of our minds.”
