Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
John Lewis enjoyed its best week ever in the seven days to Saturday, clocking up sales of £102.4m.
The figure is 13.8% up on the same week last year, 6% higher than the weekly figure from two years ago and almost £1m ahead of the previous record week set in 2007.
johnlewis.com also experienced its highest sales for one week, significantly up on the previous record set in the previous week.
John Lewis says that this is the earliest in the Christmas season that a figure in excess of £100m has been reached by the nation’s favourite department store. Reports from branches across the country show clear signs that, having bought furnishings and furniture in advance of entertaining guests, customers are now turning to selecting gifts and preparing for a family Christmas at home.
The big winners are home entertainment, traditional games and toys. And, according to director of selling operations Nat Wakely: “There is a clear trend for an indulgent family Christmas. It has been many years since we saw such strong sales in chocolates, candles and slippers.”
Meanwhile, John Lewis has beaten off stiff competition from IKEA and eBay to be named both Home Retailer of the Year and Best Online Home Retailer at the 6th annual House Beautiful Awards.
The department store scooped the magazine’s top accolades for a second year running.
Other winners included television presenter Alan Titchmarsh, who picked up an award for Favourite Home or Lifestyle TV Celebrity, as selected by House Beautiful readers.
