Black Friday 2014: Christmas now “front of mind” for UK shoppers, says John Lewis

Christmas is “now front of mind” for shoppers, John Lewis has said, with weekly sales reaching £114.2m as the business heads into the Black Friday weekend. 

 

Despite tough comparisons, John Lewis' sales rose 2.1 per cent year-on-year, and five per cent week-on-week. Last week was the first time this year that sales were above £100m over a seven-day period. 

 

Christmas hampers were the best performing single item, with sales up 70 per cent on the same week last year, followed by advent calendars, which were up 42 per cent, and Christmas trees, which rose 24 per cent. 

 

Homeware was the strongest division, up five per cent year on year, with Christmas baubles, decorations and tree lights driving growth. Fashion was up three per cent and electricals dropped 0.8 per cent – perhaps as consumers anticipate the Black Friday sales bonanza which starts this Friday (on November 28). 

 

Online director Mark Lewis said: “It was pleasing to see sales surpass the £100m mark for the second consecutive week. Looking ahead to Black Friday we are hard at work behind the scenes to ensure that our shops, distribution network and johnlewis.com are ready to meet increased demand.”

 

John Lewis arguably kicked off the season with the launch of its Christmas video.

 

(That's just an excuse for us to watch it again)