John Lewis sales figures ‘mixed’

Sales growth at department store chain John Lewis slowed to a still enviable 8.8 per cent last week as the weaker consumer environment began to show on some of its stores.

The employee-owned group has been outperforming the high street by a considerable margin this year, with double-digit sales growth powered by the company’s online offering.

Individual stores have had mixed fortunes – Aberdeen and Edinburgh were ahead by 1.9 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively last week, but Glasgow was down 3.6 per cent.

Buying director Matt McCormack said promotions helped large electrical goods sell well, while the Olympic feel-good factor underpinned higher sales of sports equipment, with table tennis and exercise bikes driving a 31 per cent increase.