Total sales for John Lewis last week (to June 18) were £79.2m – up 4.2% on last year.
The department store group said Father’s Day gave sales a boost but the wet weather had the reverse effect on some product areas.
Home had a steady week, up 3.7% on last year. Home Accessories & Gifts were up 7%, with Father’s Day gifts and pop-up areas in shops ‘providing a positive uplift’. Furniture also had a good week, up 7.1%, with Beds and Bedroom Furniture up 19.9% on last year.
EHT [Electricals & Home Technology] sales were up 7.4% and within this, Communication Technology was the star performer, up 17.1% on last year, with Microsoft products driving sales. Audio & Connected Home was up 10.4% on last year, with Bose headphones selling well.
John Lewis director of fashion Ed Connolly aid: “Fashion sales were up 2% on last year, with the spate of wet weather meaning sales of our high summer lines struggled. However, in response to this, umbrellas were up 239% on last year. Menswear had a good week, on 6.2% on last year, and within this category, Men’s Formalwear sales were up 12.7% on last year.