Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
After an exceptional sales performance a week ago with the impact of ‘Black Friday’ felt more profoundly than ever before, John Lewis describes itself as “nonetheless pleased” with a 1.8% year-on-year increase in sales in the week to December 7.
johnlewis.com contributed a 22% increase on the previous year thanks in no small part to a buoyant ‘Cyber Sunday’ at the start of the week.
Shop performance was led by High Wycombe with an 8.7% increase. Not far behind were the ‘at home’ branches of Tunbridge Wells and Newbury which respectively put on increases over last year of 6% and 3.6%.
In terms of the assortments which traded particularly well, in Home some of the key Christmas items such as chocolate coins, baubles and gift wrap began to sell in real volume, while it was also a strong week for Furniture as customers continue to prepare their homes for Christmas. For Electricals and Home Technology, tablets continue to be the must-have purchase with an exclusive product launch midweek supporting the existing bestsellers.
Maggie Porteous, Director of Selling (Group N&N), John Lewis said: “With the days before Christmas continuing to count down, and overall stocks well placed, we are set up for another strong week’s trade.”
