John Lewis sees Christmas Eve surge, good trading as clearance sale starts

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jan 2, 2019

Sales soared at John Lewis Partnership in the seven days just before and after Christmas. A total rise of 11.1% to almost £280 million came as the firm’s John Lewis department store chain and its Waitrose supermarkets both made the most of last-minute and bargain-hungry shoppers.

Waitrose had the best of it with a 19.2% sales surge in the week to December 29. But the John Lewis performance was undeniably respectable and fashion was a star category.

Total John Lewis chain and website sales for the week were up 4.5% on last year, with “very strong sales” on Christmas Eve and “a confident start to Clearance sales both online and in shops.”

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The Fashion department’s sales rose 10.7% year-on-year, with strength in women’s cashmere, which was up 10%, and women’s accessories, which surged as much as 21.5%. Beauty Wellbeing and Leisure also shone with a storming 25.3% increase.

But there was more bad news for the beleaguered Home department where sales were down 2.3%. That was even though the Gift Cook and Dine category had “a great week” with a 25% rise “as shoppers bought last-minute Christmas gifts.” Gift food was also up an astonishing 103%.

Electrical and Home Technology sales were up 3.1% as customers shopped at the start of Clearance, with Apple performing “particularly well” and communication technology products also up.