Olympic boost: John Lewis lifted by sports goods sales

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 25/08/2012 00:00

John Lewis said it had enjoyed a post-Olympics boost at its stores, with sales of sports equipment up 31 per cent in the week to 18 August.

Aberdeen was the second-best performing branch with sales up 16.5 per cent year-on-year, helping the chain as a whole to raise turnover by 14.5 per cent. Glasgow grew by 5.4 per cent but Edinburgh fell 3.1 per cent.

John Lewis director Simon Russell said: “Back to school peaked in Scotland for childrenswear. With some slightly unsettled weather on the way for bank holiday weekend, I am sure we are in for another good week.”

Seymour Pierce analyst Kate Calvert added: “Contrary to what appears to have been experienced elsewhere on the high street, there were no post-Olympic blues at John Lewis. The picture was less positive elsewhere. There is another week of limbo before the Paralympics starts but the Olympic ‘feel good’ factor is likely to be short-lived.”

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