Sales were up 4.4% in the week to August 3 for John Lewis.
The department store group said that compared with last year, the trade in many of its more northern shops was particularly encouraging, with several showing strong double-digit growth. Overall though, shops had a strong week, especially given the extreme temperatures enjoyed by many.
Within the departments, Cook & Dine “delivered good trade”, lifting 4% year-on-year.
Electricals had another strong week. Sales were up 20% year-on-year, with particular strength in small electricals and audio imaging, with both of these categories benefiting from seasonal trade and innovation to the market.
John Lewis continues to see a run on fans and juicers and also saw a spike in camcorder sales, up 46% year over year. But, according to John Lewis online director Mark Lewis, “apparently, the hot items are action cameras – perhaps worn by many of the thousands of cyclists who took over the London roads at the weekend”.
johnlewis.com had a strong week too, with sales up 24% year-on-year and an “encouraging set of sales figures” from the Home directorate.