John Lewis reports record online sales

Published on Sunday 7 December 2008 20:03

DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis yesterday reported improved Christmas trading and said it had been a record week for online shopping.

While sales for the week to Saturday were down 6.7 per cent on a year earlier, the performance represents an improvement on the rate of around 13 per cent seen during much of November.

In-store sales improved 20 per cent on the previous seven days as trading entered the peak season and shoppers responded to the reduction in VAT and price cuts across the high street, matched by the chain's "Never Knowingly Undersold" pledge.

The weekly figures from John Lewis, which are normally not released until the following Friday, provide a useful barometer to how the high street is faring this Christmas in the face of the economic slump.

The pressure on the sector has been highlighted by discounting activity, with Marks & Spencer holding two 20 per cent-off sales and Debenhams among others to slash prices.

John Lewis selling operations director Nat Wakeley described the week's trading as "much stronger".

He added: "The next two weeks are absolutely crucial for us, and all high street retailers, but we are confident that the upward sales trend will continue."