Both John Lewis and Waitrose have enjoyed a positive week, allowing its parent company the John Lewis Partnership to record another week of solid sales growth.
For the second week of its fiscal year ending February 10, the partnership raked in £200.34 million in sales – a 1.6 per cent year-on-year increase.
Separately, the partnership’s eponymous department store chain recorded 1.7 per cent year-on-year increase in total sales, while Waitrose recorded a 1.6 per cent rise.
Cold weather clothing also performed well, spiking 11 per cent ahead of the same time last year, while women’s accessories enjoyed a strong week with sales growing 4.4 per cent for the week.
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However, home sales were down 6.3 per cent, although outdoor living and upholstery had a solid week, and bedroom furniture sales surged 16 per cent.
Meanwhile, electricals and home technology enjoyed a 9.1 per cent boost in sales, largely driven by sales within audio and connected home.
At Waitrose, customers were making early preparations for Valentine’s Day with champagne sales up 24 per cent, strawberry sales up 11 per cent, flowers up by more than 28 per cent and gifting cupcakes up by 91 per cent.
Elsewhere, speciality beer sales increased by more than 27 per cent and spirit sales continued to grow with gin up by 14 per cent, rum up by 11 per cent and imported whiskey up by 29 per cent.
Fruit also had an excellent week, with stone fruit sales up 17 per cent, sales of raspberries and blackberries both up 28 per cent and blueberry sales up 53 per cent.
John Lewis Partnership is slated to unveil its full year report for its 2017-2018 fiscal year in March.
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