Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Total sales at John Lewis last week (to Saturday April 14) were down 7.1% on last year.
The department store group’s customer director Craig Inglis said the result was in part due to poor weather and the annualising of Easter promotions in the same week last year.
He noted that Home sales were down 12.9% but added: “We saw a strong start to our Summer Party range, which launched in all branches.
“Our latest home style collection, The World Traveller, is performing well too, as customers look to refresh their home for the summer months. Lighting also had a strong week (+5%) with floor lamps in particular performing well, up 14%.”
Sales of EHT (Electricals & Home Technology) were up 0.2% driven by strong sales in mobile and photo. Large electricals also performed well, as did the John Lewis own-brand laundry range.
Fashion was down 9.2%, although own-brand womenswear was up 14%, with own-brand ranges Kin and modern rarity performing well, up 50% and 30% respectively. And cold-weather fashion items were up 3% on last year.
