John Lewis sales accelerate
Department store group John Lewis saw its sales grow by 8.4 per cent last week to £75.2 million on the back of strong demand for electronic gadgets.
The retailer said the rise for the week to 19 October, which compares with the previous week’s 5 per cent increase, was also helped by higher fashion sales, including an 18 per cent jump for childrenswear.
Among the employee-owned firm’s three Scottish stores, Aberdeen was the best performer with a 3.8 per cent rise in sales. Edinburgh was up 2.6 per cent, while takings in Glasgow rose 2.5 per cent year-on-year.
Sales at the group’s Waitrose supermarket chain jumped 9.3 per cent to £116.5m as shoppers snapped up ingredients for roast dinners as the weather cooled.