Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Sales at John Lewis Partnership rose 4.2% in the week to May 25. The department stores achieved sales up 3.1%, and online business notched up a sales increase of 7.5% on last year. Saturday saw the highest increase of any day at 7.7%, but with all days showing a positive uplift on last year.
Out of the Buying Directorates, Electricals and Home Technology had the best result, up 26.1%. Home just missed beating last year’s result, but did have strong performances from Textiles and Carpets, as many customers took the bank holiday weekend opportunity to freshen their furnishings.
This theme continued in the Home Accessories and Gifts assortments with strong performances from like-for-like shop sales in Wall Decor, Clocks/Frames, Candles, Decorative Accessories and Lighting.
At a branch level, the best performances came from Chester, Swindon, Tamworth, Poole and Milton Keynes, all with significant increases. Out of the other branches there were notable double percentage gains from Leicester, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Reading and Trafford. And Peter Jones in Sloane Square took advantage of the Chelsea Flower Show, turning in a 29% gain versus last year.
The ‘at home’ stores turned in a “fantastic increase” of 43.5%, with Tamworth topping the ratings with an increase of 65.4% and Poole close behind on 58.1%.
John Lewis Director of Selling, Group L&S David Barford said: “As we move into the summer period we have the Jubilee and Olympics to compete with from last year, but as we started this week with some wet and windy conditions, we are well placed to make the most of the shopping weather.”
