John Lewis reports positive end of year sales
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John Lewis has reported record sales for the five weeks to 2 January with sales up 15.8% up on the same period last year.
Sales at the department store chain exceeded £100m in four of the five weeks running up to Christmas, including the week ending 2 January.
Like for like sales, which include sales from stores open a year or more, were 12.7% up on last year.
Compared with sales two years ago, total sales were up 16.4% and like for likes improved 10.4%.
The strong results were echoed at the chain’s food business, Waitrose, which saw sales increase by 20.8% for the week ending 26 December, compared with the same week last year. The previous trading week (ending 19 December) sales were up by 16.5%.
Total sales at Waitrose were up by 16.1% for the 13 weeks to 26 December.
Andy Street, John Lewis managing director, says: “We have seen excellent sales during Christmas and Clearance. Customers have responded extremely well to our offer and are clearly motivated by inspiring products, great value and exceptional service. As the year progresses we expect to see a long slow recovery, with the retailers who continue to focus on giving customers what they want prospering.”
Meanwhile high street fashion retailer Next reported that performance in the run up to Christmas was “better than expected” in a trading update for the 22 weeks to 24 December.
Total sales during the period were up 4.6% with like for like sales up 3.2% boosted it says, by a more stable consumer environment and improved ranges as the chain continues to “aggressively back new products and trends.
Next Directory, the retailer’s catalogue business saw sales increase 6.8%.
Readers' comments (3)
Terry Hunter, MD, CyberDMG | Wed, 6 Jan 2010 10:56 am
John Lewis’ ecommerce site will have played a key role in its excellent trading update. The retailer's ongoing investment in its website has created a dynamic space which ticks all the boxes of a successful ecommerce offering. Equally, the site is constantly evolving to meet the needs of its customers, while consistently delivering on the values of the John Lewis brand.
Other retailers, despite their place in the market, should take note of John Lewis’ success. It doesn’t matter whether they are a 'department' store, brand site or other type of retailer; they too can ensure that their ecommerce sites give the customer an engaging and seamless shopping experience by never standing still, developing ecommerce capabilities and viewing them as ever evolving opportunities to connect with and serve customers.
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Adrian Lingard, JaywingDMG | Wed, 6 Jan 2010 3:41 pm
One of the factors that has undoubtedly contributed to John Lewis’ success over the Christmas season is the fact that the company has been quick to embrace its customers online. Unbelievably, there are still examples of major high street brands that have not yet prioritised online as a key area of focus.
The fact that John Lewis grasped the online opportunity early on has meant that the company has greatly improved its understanding of online behaviour. Its next move should be to combine online understanding with offline insight, in real time, in order to deliver the most appropriate interactions, relevant in both content and channel of delivery.
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Deborah Collier Echo E-Business | Mon, 1 Feb 2010 1:00 pm
Delighted thats wonderful news! Another boost for the economy.
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