John Lewis sales jumped 8.8% over the week to August 25 driven by electricals, home and technology.
Sales in the category leaped 20% over the week. Promotions in large electricals delivered a 27% uplift and trade-in deals continue to drive higher volumes on vacuum sales, according to the retailer.
Tablets remained “very strong” according to John Lewis and headphones jumped 42% over the week.
In fashion, menswear and sports led the way with a 10.8% increase driven by healthy sales in central London. Both John Lewis Oxford Street and Peter Jones traded up 18% over the week. Men’s casual brands were up 13% with Polo Ralph Lauren and Diesel delivering high double digit growth, according to John Lewis buying director, fashion Matt McCormack.
Olympic fever continues to propel sports equipment sales with table tennis and exercise bikes driving a 31% increase.
A 45% leap in ‘House by John Lewis’ sales helped home sales nudge up 3.4%. Beds and bedroom furniture grew 16%.
Meanwhile, the sunny week leading up to the August bank holiday helped propel sales at sister store Waitrose with revenue up 8% week on week.
Waitrose commercial director Mark Williamson said: “Although no British bank holiday is complete without a shower or two, customers were clearly resolved to make the most of the sunnier spells forecast. Barbecue items proved particularly popular, with sales of barbecue meats and pre-packed fish up a sizzling 39% and 29% respectively and salads up by 20%.”
Williamson said the ‘Pimm’s-o-meter’, which he referred to as the non-scientific indicator of summer weather, showed a 50% sales increase over the week as customers prepared to enjoy the sunshine. Demand for icecream also jumped 29%.
With a number of music festivals taking place over the weekend, and many customers enjoying the countryside, sales of suncream rocketed 92%. Demand for bathing and showering products also soared 26%, suggesting that revellers returning from muddy fields sought comfort in a thorough clean after a weekend’s camping.
The grocer’s online business continued to grow over the week, with sales up 49% on last week.
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