Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
John Lewis reported a ‘solid performance’ last week (to May 2), with a 2.8% increase in sales against last year.
The department store group’s director of store development Tim Harrison said Home “crossed into positive territory” with sales up 0.3%. The star performer was outdoor living, up 33.9%, “and it is building good trade for the coming weeks,” he said. He added that gifting had a robust week (up 13.4% compared with last year) with gift food putting in the best growth.
EHT (Electricals & Home Technology) was 9.3% down “with some tough annualised figures, especially in consumer electronics and vision. That said, customers are responding well to promotional activity and newness in the assortment,” he commented.
Tim Harrison noted that “it was a good week for johnlewis.com” with sales up 17%, supported by the price match activity. The best performing shops were Exeter, Poole, Ashford, Liverpool and Peter Jones.
He concluded: “We have started this week off well, making the most of the May bank holiday. With the election this week, many will have had their eyes elsewhere, but now is the time to refocus our customers on our fantastic offer.”
