John Lewis enjoys sales boost after strong Christmas performance
John Lewis has doubled down on a positive festive period after reporting double-figure sales growth over the last week.
The department store chain said total sales for the week to 5 January were up 11.2 per cent on the same period last year, thanks to its post-Christmas clearance.
The figures were driven by soaring menswear sales, which were up 34.3 per cent on last year.
Communication technology products also enjoyed a strong week, seeing a 35.2 per cent rise, while television sales were up 14 per cent.
Last week’s figures continue a positive trend for the retailer, which reported a 4.5 per cent increase in sales during the last week of the year, boosted by last-minute Christmas shopping.
Waitrose, which is part of the John Lewis group, also had much to celebrate after last week’s sales results.
The supermarket chain saw a 7.5 per cent rise in sales excluding fuel as alcohol sales topped up trading in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.
Champagne sales fizzed up 48 per cent, while whiskey and gin sales rose 38 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
Waitrose also saw a huge 110 per cent increase in sales of its vegan and vegetarian ranges last week, spurred on by the launch of its new vegan fish fingers.