Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Sales at John Lewis over the festive period were “outstanding”, managing director Andy Street says in the retailer’s Christmas trading statement, released this week.
At £545m, total sales in the five weeks to January 1 were 8.9% up on last year, while like-for-like sales increased by 7.6%. Sales of home merchandise rose 4.7%. Compared with two years ago total sales were 26.2% up, with like-for-likes showing an 21.7% increase.
Online sales for the five weeks were 42% up on last year and have now reached £500m for the year to date, the first time this milestone has been passed.
“Sales during both Christmas and clearance have been outstanding,” said Street. “We have broken records for the biggest week (£121m) and biggest day (£27.8m) as well as hitting a key milestone (£500m for the year) for our online trade. Our success confirms our strength as a multichannel retailer.”
He said that that had been particularly important during the poor weather conditions over the period, which, ironically, had boosted both internet and store sales.
“Online sales soared during the first snowfall as customers struggled to get to the shops. When the weather turned for a second time closer to Christmas, shoppers wanted the reassurance of having their goods in their hands and our shops saw sales surge as a result.”
