• Sales at John Lewis rose 7% while Waitrose sales edged up 1%
  • Revenues driven by Valentine’s Day, fashion and electricals
  • Partnership sales up 3.1%

Sales at department store group John Lewis rose 7% last week, with fashion and Valentine’s Day the driving forces behind the increase.  

John Lewis infographic to February 13

John Lewis infographic to February 13

John Lewis weekly sales to February 13, 2016

Sales overall at John Lewis came in at £74.6m in the week to February 13. 

Fashion sales rose 2.9% compared with the same week last year, with the biggest growth in women’s accessories, beauty and wellbeing and leisure. Those categories boast a high level of Valentine’s Day gifts.

Beauty counter sales were up 4.5% while handbags were up 6.4%.  

Home sales and electricals sales also experienced positive growth. Home sales grew 3.1%, with furniture up 6.4%, while electricals sales shot up 15.6%.

Communication technology was the star in this category, with 26.2% growth.

At its sister business, Waitrose, sales edged up 1% in the week to £127.47m.

Online flower sales rose 28% and in-store gift sales increased 35%, thanks to Valentine’s Day.

Meat counter sales grew 67% while Chinese New Year led to Oriential food sales growth of 60%. Shrove Tuesday helped home baking sales rise 77%.

Overall, sales for the partnership increased 3.1% to £201.9m in the week to February 16. Of the £201.9m, £127.47m was generated by Waitrose, where sales increased 1%.