Department store John Lewis saw total sales rise 14.9 per cent last week as the nation continued to celebrate Team GB‘s sporting success, it has been announced today.
Fashion delivered strong results with an 18.9 per cent increase on last year, as sales of sports apparel jumped a staggering 177.7 per cent for the week to August 11th 2012, while London 2012 merchandise maintained its popularity.
With 18 of its branches seeing a sales increase on last year, its top performing store in Croydon saw sales rise by 50 per cent, while its Oxford Street flagship, which was one of four John Lewis stores nationwide to be wrapped in giant banner in the run-up to the Olympic Games, reported an 18.9 per cent lift.
EHT remained the most popular directorate thanks to a 22.2 per cent boost on the previous year, driven by sales of telecoms, consumer electronics accessories and large electrical products, which saw increases of 148.8 per cent, 40.4 per cent and 16.1 per cent respectively.
As the public continued its sporting obsession, sales at grocer Waitrose grew 12 per cent on the same week in 2011 as fresh produce sales jumped 15.3 per cent while beers, wines and spirits received a 12.7 per cent boost.
David Jones, Waitrose Retail Director, believes that celebrations and sunny weather helped drive customers in store.
“There was certainly a mood of celebration as the ‘Mobot‘ (Mo Farah‘s signature pose) went global and we toasted our sporting heroes,” he said.
“Champagne sales saw a 35 per cent uplift on the same time last year and sparkling wine a huge 78 per cent increase. Our Stratford City branch set a record for the number of customers served.”
Westfield Stratford surprised shoppers during the first weekend of the Games by closing its doors to non-Olympic attendees, locking out thousands of customers in a move that is likely to affect its total footfall and sales performance over the period.
However, customers also rushed to make purchases online, with Waitrose.com seeing a 54.4 per cent on last year while quick food options also enticed those eager not to miss any of the TV action.
Jones added: “It was also an impressive start at our first store in Bedford, which opened last Thursday (9 August), while our international sales were up nearly 31 per cent compared to last year.”
