John Lewis recorded a drop in its weekly sales as strong sales of summer products failed to offset declines in its home division.
The department store retailer reported a 6.2% sales decline in week to 14 July, spurred by falling sales across all its product categories.
Fashion sales dropped 3.5% during the week but John Lewis said its warm weather clothing continued its “good performance”.
Home sales decreased by 11%, however summer merchandise sales had 11% more sales.
The retailer’s electrical and home technology sales declined 4.6% despite the impressive performance driven by cooling devices and air purifiers.
Waitrose
In contrast, upmarket grocer Waitrose’s sales excluding fuel were 3.3% higher year on year.
Alcohol sales rose – with beer, cider and gin registering 39%, 28% and 27% jumps respectively. Ice cubes sales rocketed, up by 135% overall.
Rosé wine sales increased 38% during the period, bolstered by Waitrose’s launch of a frozen rosé ice lolly.
Hot weather, the World Cup and Wimbledon spurred summer food sales.
Barbeque meats saw a 40% sales increase, salads were up by 11% and the grocer’s world deli range had increased sales of 34%.
Across the partnership, sales edged down 0.6% to £214.4m during the period.
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