John Lewis Partnership saw its sales drop 0.3 per cent over the last week, with the royal wedding and warm weather proving a double-edged sword.
In the week to May 19, Waitrose saw sales rise 3.2 per cent as the weekend’s royal wedding and FA Cup final drove people out into the sunshine.
Sales of rosé and champagne subsequently shot up 68 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
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Though this drove up food sales, the partnership’s eponymous department store chain suffered as shoppers avoided the high streets.
Total sales at John Lewis were down 6.3 per cent, dragged down by an eight per cent dive in home and fashion sales.
Upholstery performed well, as purchases of garden furniture saw sales rise 1.5 per cent, alongside a notably strong demand for DIY products.
The royal wedding also inflated sales of TVs, memorabilia and party wear.
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