// John Lewis haberdashery sales skyrocket 61% as shoppers ‘make do and mend’ to save money amid the rising cost of living
// Dressmaking accessories, repair kits and clothing dye are among its top sellers.
John Lewis haberdashery sales have skyrocketed as shoppers look to save money by giving their clothes a new lease of life amid the rising cost-of-living.
The department store retailer reported sales of craft and repair products – including patches and repair tape – have skyrocketed 61% compared to last year.
Dressmaking accessories and repair kits are among its top sellers.
Clothing colour dye sales soared 24% year on year driven by increasing demand for black and navy dye, suggesting shoppers are looking to revamp their pre-loved and fading jeans.
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Dress making accessories including thimbles, dressmakers chalk and pattern-making accessories have increased 15%.
Shoppers are also looking to refresh their sewing kits as sales of safety pins have surged 21%, tape measures have jumped 14% and knitting needles are up 6%.
John Lewis Haberdashery Lead Susan Kennedy said: “We’re certainly becoming a nation of craft lovers.
“Whether they’re looking to rejuvenate their clothes or have been inspired by the likes of Tom Daley’s knitting efforts last year, we’re seeing more and more customers turn to sewing, stitching, and knitting.
“It’s a trend set to continue, and we’ve recently launched some fantastic kits for new starters – from embroidery and stitching to crochet and knitting.”
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