// John Lewis Partnership’s overall weekly sales up by 1.1%
// Waitrose up 4.1%
// John Lewis down 4.4%
John Lewis Partnership has kicked off its new financial year with overall weekly sales growth, as Waitrose’s strong performance helped offset a decline in sales from its department store arm.
For the week ending February 2, the parent company of Waitrose and John Lewis recorded an uptick of 1.1 per cent in overall weekly sales, growing from £198.04 million to £200.22 million year-on-year.
Between the partnership’s two retail chains, John Lewis’ weekly sales took a battering with a decline of 4.4 per cent year-on-year, while Waitrose weekly sales grew 4.1 per cent year-on-year.
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John Lewis attributed its weekly sales drop to the snow that dominated weather patterns across the country last week.
Fashion sales were down 2.1 per cent despite another strong week from women’s accessories and boots as customers bought items to keep warm.
Meanwhile, home sales were down six per cent and electrical and home technology sales dropped 5.1 per cent, despite the snow increasing sales of heating products by 200 per cent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, stablemate Waitrose’s weekly growth was boosted by the snow and cold weather.
It said customers shopped for roast dinner essentials like fresh meat and vegetables, while also stocking up on cold weather staples including hot drinks and soup.
In addition, customers were preparing for seasonal events including Chinese New Year, as sales of Chinese ready meals increased by 67 per cent.
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