Retail bellwether John Lewis has posted a sharp rise in sales for the second week in a row as milder weather encouraged customers to venture out to its stores. The group said sales at its 28 department stores, one John Lewis at home store, and internet business, increased 15.7% to £51.2m in the week to 23 January against the same week last year. "Trade was helped by the snow finally melting away and customers' pent-up demand to get back to shopping. This gave us a buoyant start to the week which carried on through the week as the milder conditions stayed with us," said David Barford, director, selling operations.

Sales in its homewares and fashion categories jumped 26.9% and 21.3% respectively, while electricals and home technology sales rose 1.1%. Overall online sales jumped 39.9%.

Meanwhile, sales over the same period at the group’s 222-strong Waitrose chain rose 15.2% to £88.6m, underscoring Waitrose's current position as the country’s fastest growing grocer. "In a week containing "Blue Monday" (13 January) -- widely considered to be the most depressing day of the year - many chose to take comfort in home-cooked food," said Waitrose finance director Tom Athron. He also noted that record numbers of shoppers added faggots to their baskets!

NamNews - Friday 29th January 2010

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