Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Mother Day’s gift buying propelled sales at John Lewis for last week (to March 14) to a double figure of 12.9% on last year.
The department store group’s director of selling, north and new format Maggie Porteous said the growth in online trade “continued apace, with a phenomenal week for customers click-and-collecting their last-minute Mother’s Day treats.” As a result, johnlewis.com sales increased 23.2%”.
She added: “It was also a busy week across our estate of shops, with some really super results spearheaded by Exeter, Chichester and Chester for New Format, and Stratford City and High Wycombe for department stores.”
At a directorate level, Home led the way with an increase of 18.4% on last year, with strength across the board including gift food and gift collections. “It was also really pleasing to see Mother’s Day powering sales in tabletop,” she noted. “Our customers are responding well to the ‘wake up to white’ promotion in textiles, and sales were also strong in fitted furniture too.”
The EHT [Electrical and Home Technology) directorate also bettered last year with an increase of 4.8%. Small electricals was “the powerhouse, with some great sales in personal care items, and a very successful launch of an exclusive new Dyson dehumidifier providing impetus”.
Maggie Porteous concluded: “The days are getting warmer, the evenings are getting lighter and spring is definitely in the air. Our customers’ thoughts will be turning to Easter pursuits, with the school holiday period just a couple of weeks away. They may be considering home improvements or going on holiday; we will be able to help them prepare for their chosen Easter activity.”
