// Waitrose weekly sales decrease 1.2%
// John Lewis weekly sales grow 8.5%
The John Lewis Partnership has recorded a fourth consecutive week of growth in weekly sales, driven by continuing growth across its eponymous department stores.
For the week ending October 192, sales at the partnership grew 2.7 per cent year-on-year, from £212.06 million to £217.85 million.
However, John Lewis Partnership’s year-to-date sales figure continued to be in negative territory, slipping 0.7 per cent year-on-year.
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John Lewis’ weekly sales growth of 8.5 per cent was the main driver behind the partnership’s overall figures, thanks to dramatic boost from the fashion department.
Fashion sales surged 32.1 per cent as customers took advantage of John Lewis’ 20 per cent off promotion.
The figure was boosted by own-brand fashion sales skyrocketing by 46 per cent, while boots were up 34 per cent due to the wet weather and beauty, wellbeing and leisure sales were up 25.3 per cent.
Sales of Christmas products are also on the rise as customers prepare for the festive season early this year, with loose baubles up 20 per cent and toy sales up 17 per cent.
Meanwhile, sales in the home department were down 13.8 per cent, while the electrical and home technology department saw sales grow 3.7 per cent – boosted by a 13 per cent uptick in cooking items as customers prepared to host over the festive season.
Over at Waitrose, total sales excluding fuel were down 1.2 per cent compared to the same week last year, although the rainy spell prompted a boost of warming foods such as ready meals.
Ambient sales declined 1.6 per cent, chilled and fresh food sales slipped by 0.3 per cent and home and general merchandise sales dropped 5.5 per cent.
