John Lewis' weekly sales figures for last week (to 21st February 2015) reflect relative stability of growth against last year, with week three seeing total sales up 3.5%. This growth was rooted in a strong online performance, which was up 16.7% year-on-year.
There was a solid performance delivered across both the Home and Fashion directorates, each up 5.8% year-on-year. Outdoor Living, inspired by the noticeably lighter mornings and evenings, had an incredibly strong week at 285% up, while Fitted Furniture was also looking healthy at 29% up. Comments Barry Matheson, director of retail services: "Inside or out, it would seem that home improvements are at the forefront of our customers' minds!"
At a branch level, Croydon topped the tables at 5.6% up, closely followed by Stratford City, up 5.5% and Exeter, up 4.7%.
"With winter on the way out, our increased focus turns to spring and we look forward to welcoming refreshed seasonal trade," concludes Barry.