// John Lewis Partnership weekly sales slide 3.1%
// Waitrose sales slip 0.4%
// John Lewis sales drop 7.2%
John Lewis Partnership’s weekly sales tumbled by 3.1 per cent last week, as warm weather over the bank holiday provided mixed results for the company’s two fascias.
For the week ending August 31, the partnership recorded overall weekly sales of £207.96 million, compared to the same time year when it recorded £214.62 million.
For the year to date, sales edged down 0.7 per cent year-on-year.
John Lewis Partnership said that while the warm weather and bank holiday last week helped drive growth in a number of categories at Waitrose, it didn’t do so well for the eponymous department store chain.
John Lewis’ total sales were down 7.2 per cent on the same week last year as warm weather over the bank holiday weekend impacted trade.
Sales in the fashion department were down 5.8 per cent, but schoolwear sales picked up towards the end of the week as parents prepared for the start of a new school term.
Home sales were down 14 per cent, but the warm temperatures saw sales of BBQs up 40 per cent and outdoor furniture was up 20 per cent as customers continued to make the most of their outdoor areas.
Meanwhile, the electrical and home technology department saw sales decline 2.8 per cent, although sales of large electricals up 8.6 per cent thanks to a 29 per cent boost in cooking appliances.
Total sales at stablemate Waitrose slipped by 0.4 per cent for the week, although the grocer experienced double-digit sales across its alcohol range and a boost in foods more traditionally associated with barbecues and al fresco dining.
Waitrose recorded a 02 per cent uptick in both ambient products sales, and chilled, fruit & vegetables and bakery sales respectively.
However, home and general merchandise sales declined 0.7 per cent.
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