05/01/2009 John Lewis sales up

John Lewis has announced that total sales (excluding VAT) for the five weeks to 3 January 2009 were up 2.4% and that like-for-like sales were flat.

The department store chain reported that although sales in the home sector were down 6%, sales in electricals and home technology were up 10%

Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis, said: “I am really encouraged by this performance over the key Christmas and early Clearance period. It is especially pleasing that our Home assortment has begun to see stronger trade in the last week. We have broken a number of records during these five weeks including two record weeks online, two record weeks in Electricals and Home Technology, our biggest ever day on 27 December for the start of Clearance in our shops and the busiest ever hour online on Christmas Eve as Clearance began on the website.

Street added: “Whilst we expect the next few months to be extremely tough, we are confident that our continuing focus on inspiring products, great value and differentiated service leaves John Lewis well positioned to meet customer needs in this challenging time.”

Keep ahead – read Cabinet Maker – the Interiors Retailing Weekly