John Lewis sales rise despite mixed Scottish performance

Department store chain John Lewis today reported a 16.5 per cent rise in sales last week, stimulated by poor weather and demand for televisions driven by the digital switchover in London and the south of England, but there was a mixed performance at its Scottish stores.

The employee-owned retailer generated sales of £62 million in the week to April 21, with an 8 per cent increase across its department stores and a 56.5 per cent jump in online sales.

Sales at its Aberdeen branch rose 1.4 per cent in the week to 21 April, but sales at its Edinburgh and Glasgow stores were down 5.7 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively compared with the same period last year.

David Barford, director of selling operations, said sales in the electricals and home technology category rose 49.7 per cent, also helped by robust sales of Apple’s new iPad, while homewares sales were up 9.1 per cent.

However, the cooler weather meant fashion sales growth was limited to 1.1 per cent.

“John Lewis’ recent performance certainly does not equate with an economy in recession,” said Howard Archer, chief economist at IHS Global Insight.