TV sales boosted by poor weather
Apr 12 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
JOHN Lewis said sales of televisions and computers rose sharply last week after the poor weather boost- ed interest in indoor products.
The department store chain reported a 2% sales lift to £48.5m for the week to last Saturday, with the figure 6% stronger when compared with the equivalent post-Easter trading week last year.
John Lewis described the performance as “very encouraging”, particularly given the distractions of various sporting events, such as FA Cup football and the Grand National.
Andy Banks, head of supply chain, said: “The desire to stay indoors has driven outstanding sales of TVs, up 14%, and computers, up 30%. In both areas the internet continues to be the growth channel with johnlewis.com sales of TVs up over 200% on last year.”
Sales through its internet business grew 52% but its stores performed less impressively. The Newcastle store was slightly better than average with sales during the week 4.5% down on a year before, leaving it trading 3.3% down for the year to date.
Only the firm’s stores in London’s Oxford Street, Cribbs Causeway (Bristol) and Aberdeen were ahead year-on-year for the week.
The company’s fashion department appeared to buck the gloomy trends reported elsewhere in the sector, with sales coming in well ahead of last year. But trading figures for the supermarket part of the John Lewis Partnership were less impressive, with Waitrose seeing a 10.7% drop to £75.4m.
