Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
A 200m-long queue formed outside the new John Lewis store in Cardiff on Friday, waiting for the doors to open for the first time.
The store’s manager, Liz Mihell, said that the opening day was “fantastic. Sales exceeded our expectations, finishing more than 20% ahead of our target for the day.
“Many customers told us how delighted they are John Lewis is finally open, with one commenting: ‘It used to be that you had to have a cathedral to become a city: now you have to have a John Lewis!’.”
The shop, which is the biggest department store in Wales, chalked up over 12,000 transactions during the day, with the John Lewis Value range mug and paring knife at £1 each completely selling out. Home electrical items were also much in demand.
Shoppers also ate and drank their way through nearly 300 scones, 100 welsh cakes and 3,000 hot drinks in the Place to Eat and Espresso bar.
