John Lewis sales down 4.8% last week
Total sales at the John Lewis & Partners department store business were down 4.8% last week on the corresponding period last year.
The retailer said home sales fell by 9.5% due to discounts offered over half term by its competitors. However, John Lewis benefited from the unseasonably warm weather which led outdoor furniture sales to rise by 33%.
Electrical and home technology sales were also down with a drop of 6.9%, although sales in the tablets and computers category increased by 15.9% year-on-year.
Meanwhile fashion sales edged up 1.1% after menswear sales climbed by 3.1%. Men’s branded casual clothing performed particularly well following the launch of a new collection of six independent menswear brands in ten John Lewis shops and online. Sunglasses, swimwear and shorts were also popular with customers due to the weather.
