87 087
Fashion Jobs
LULULEMON
Community Specialist | Summit, Springfield Ave
Permanent · SUMMIT
LULULEMON
Expeditor | Cherry Creek
Permanent · DENVER
LULULEMON
Community Specialist | Friendly Center
Permanent · GREENSBORO
NORDSTROM
Customer Service Representative - Hillsdale Shopping Center
Permanent · SAN MATEO
NORDSTROM
Retail Stock - Mercer Mall Rack
Permanent · LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP
NORDSTROM
Manager- Service Experience- Baton Rouge Mall Rack
Permanent · BATON ROUGE
NORDSTROM
Retail Stock - Sugar House Rack
Permanent · SALT LAKE CITY
NORDSTROM
Asset Protection - Agent - Aventura
Permanent · AVENTURA
NORDSTROM
Retail Stock - Northwoods Rack
Permanent · SAN ANTONIO
NEIMAN MARCUS
Business Manager Tom Ford, Beauty (PT, 35 Hours) - FT. Worth
Permanent · FORT WORTH
NEIMAN MARCUS
Sales Manager, Designer Rtw
Permanent · CORAL GABLES
NEIMAN MARCUS
Sales Professional, Beauty
Permanent · NEW YORK
TIFFANY & CO
Manager, HR Business Partner
Permanent · NEW YORK
URBN
Security Officer (Monday-Thursday; Overnight Shift)
Permanent · LEVITTOWN
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS
ae - Market Visual Leader - us
Permanent · MCLEAN
CROCS
Supervisor, Distribution Center - 1st Shift
Permanent · LAS VEGAS
NEWELL
Associate Brand Manager, Coleman
Permanent · ATLANTA
NEWELL
Senior Director, Analytics
Permanent · HOBOKEN
NEWELL
sr. Manager, Customer Planning
Permanent · ATLANTA
NEWELL
Finance Manager, bp&a
Permanent · ATLANTA
BALLARD DESIGNS
Retail Receiving Manager
Permanent · ROSWELL
FRONTGATE
Merchandise Operations Specialist
Permanent · WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP
By
Reuters
Published
Aug 7, 2009
Reading time
2 minutes
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

John Lewis sales get 'staycation' fillip

By
Reuters
Published
Aug 7, 2009

LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - John Lewis [JLP.UL], the employee-owned group viewed as a barometer of British retail spending, posted a third consecutive big rise in weekly sales at its department stores, boosted by the "staycation" phenomenon.

John Lewis

The group, which also runs the upmarket Waitrose supermarket chain, said on Friday 7 August sales at its 27 department stores rose 5.6 year-on-year to 50.0 million pounds ($83.81 million) in the week to Aug. 1.

That followed rises of 6.3 percent and 5.3 percent in the two previous weeks as more British consumers holidayed in the UK or stayed at home rather than embark on foreign travels.

"A combination of encouraging response to our new ranges, increased footfall as a result of the 'staycation' factor and our shoppers finding the weather a little more mixed than they would have liked meant strong results across the board," John Lewis said.

The firm's figures will add to hopes the British economy is moving closer to recovery.

"Their recent improved performance boosts hopes and expectations that the economy will achieve modest growth in the third quarter after five quarters of overall very sharp contraction," said Howard Archer, chief economist at IHS Global Insight.

"With sharply reduced mortgage payments, lower utility bills and retreating inflation boosting purchasing power, it seems that a good many people are currently more able and more willing to step up their discretionary spending."

A raft of British retailers, from home improvements group Kingfisher (KGF.L) and fashion chain Next (NXT.L) to grocer Morrison (MRW.L) and carpet seller Carpetright (CATVU.L) have reported better-than-expected trading in recent weeks, raising hopes of a rapid recovery from recession.

A survey on Wednesday 5 August from the Nationwide Building Society said consumer confidence edged up in July.

However, many retail analysts remain cautious as unemployment is still rising, VAT sales tax and mortgage rates are likely to rise next year and the impact of swine flu on consumer behaviour is uncertain.

John Lewis said sales of home-related products rose 10.5 percent, which suggests the recent modest pick up in housing market activity is having a positive impact on sales of home furnishings.

Fashion sales increased 8.2 percent but sales of electricals and home technology were down 1.9 percent.

Sales at the 213-store Waitrose chain increased 9.5 percent year-on-year to 82.5 million pounds. ($1=.5966 Pound) (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Hans Peters)

© Thomson Reuters 2024 All rights reserved.