Retailers breathed a sigh of relief as shopper numbers surged last weekend, but are still waiting to see how Christmas trading will pan out.
Weekly sales at department store operator John Lewis climbed 17 per cent in the week to November 29, and were up 1.4 per cent year on year. Selling support director James Furse said: 'After the uncertainty of the previous fortnight, we have experienced a strong uplift. That has carried forward into the start of this week.'
House of Fraser reported a 'pretty good weekend'. Deputy chief executive David Adams remained confident of 'delivering the numbers'.
Moss Bros chief executive Adrian Wright reported a weekend surge, but said that trading was tough in the clothing sector. Warehouse managing director Hilary Riva agreed: 'We experienced a big lift, but we're not looking at the greatest Christmas ever.'
Toy retailer The Entertainer reported that sales on Monday were up 14.2 per cent week on week. The retailer began a half-price Sale on Wednesday to 'drive sales'.
Early Learning Centre is running a three-for-two promotion for the first time, but a spokeswoman said: 'We are holding our nerve.'
Charles Dunstone predicted the best Christmas since 2000 for his Carphone Warehouse chain. 'Everyone in the market is saying it will be much bigger than the past two years but not at the level of 2000,' he said.
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