John Lewis enjoyed ‘solid’ growth last week driven by customers splashing out for Father’s Day as sales rose 7.5% on last year to £68.4m.
The department store said the occasion was a “great footfall driver” and that sales of Father’s Day cards were up 45% in the week to June 15.
John Lewis reported an 8.5% rise in fashion sales driven by price matching and strong handbag sales.
The retailer said that bed sales rose 29% to boost the homewares category by 5% while its Orla Kiely shop-in-shops have “wowed customers across all branches for the last five weeks”. Outdoor furniture sales rose 116%.
John Lewis experienced a 9.9% rise in electricals and home technology after a strong week in computing and TVs.
John Lewis’ online sales rose 18.8% in the week while its strongest performing store was Tamworth with a 14.4% rise. Its Bluewater store performed the worst, experiencing a 9.3% fall in sales.
John Lewis home directorate buying director Paula Nickolds said: “After the impact of 2012’s Jubilee bank holidays in last week’s figures, we returned to solid growth with total sales 7.5% ahead of last year. It was particularly pleasing to see this growth spread across all buying directorates.”
Sales at sister grocer Waitrose rose 14.1% to £122.86m last week boosted by a 25% off wine and champagne promotion, which drove a 48% uplift in the category.
Waitrose finance director Tom Athron said: “With weddings, graduations and summer parties all in full swing, champagne sales soared by 63% in preparation for celebratory toasts.
“Father’s Day gifts, such as mugs and bottle bags, were 75% up as families prepared to celebrate the occasion on Sunday. Dads were treated to biscuits and confectionery, up 27% and 42% respectively.”
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