Gadget demand pushes John Lewis sales up 4.2%

John Lewis today said strong demand for gadgets such as tablet computers helped sales at the department store group rise 4.2 per cent last week.

The employee-owned retailer said textiles and carpets also sold well as customers took advantage of the bank holiday weekend to “freshen their furnishings”.

Overall takings at the chain rose to £62.6 million in the week to 25 May, while sales at the group’s upmarket Waitrose supermarket grew 5.7 per cent to £117.1m.

Aberdeen was the best performing John Lewis store in Scotland during the week, with sales up 11.9 per cent. Glasgow grew 10.6 per cent, followed by Edinburgh at 6.1 per cent.

The firm said: “As we move into the summer period we have the Jubilee and Olympics to compete with from last year, but as we started this week with some wet and windy conditions we are well placed to make the most of the shopping weather.”