Department store John Lewis saw total sales climb 4.2 per cent as sales of Electricals & Home Technology (EHT) drove growth despite a significant fall in Fashion sales, results released today reveal.
In the week to May 25th 2013, EHT sales jumped 26.1 per cent on the same period last year as large electricals, tablets and audio imaging products proved popular with customers thanks to a “competitive and inspiring assortment”.
Such strong results offset poor results across Home, which saw total sales dip 1.9 per cent despite a strong performance from its At Home stores.
Fashion sales dropped 7.2 per cent on the same period a year earlier though reported solid sales across Haberdashery, Nursery and Jewellery.
Online sales rose 7.5 per cent on last year as shops saw a positive results with sales up 3.1 per cent.
A number of John Lewis stores saw “significant increases” over the week, with its branches in Chester, Swindon and Tamworth seeing total sales jump 31 per cent, 21.8 per cent and 20.8 per cent respectively.
The group‘s Peter Jones store in the capital took advantage of the Chelsea Flower Show as sales leapt 29 per cent though John Lewis‘ Director of Selling, Group L&S David Barford, noted that Summer events can skew results.
He commented: “As we move into the Summer period, we have the Jubilee and Olympics to compete with from last year, but as we started this week with some wet and windy conditions we are well placed to make the most of the shopping weather.”
Sister grocer Waitrose also capitalised on the popularity of the show, reporting a significant rise in horticulture and flower sales over the week.
Compared with the same period last year, total sales increased 5.7 per cent though the chain highlighted “diverse shopping patterns” amid changeable weather.
Summer foods fared well during the week with sales of new potatoes, and snack salads rising 25 per cent and 75 per cent respectively as cold weather foods such as soup and gravy saw sales increase 40 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
