Mixed performance for John Lewis in Scotland

Department store group John Lewis today revealed a mixed performance across its Scottish stores as it announced sales growth had been held back last week because of the snow.

The employee-owned retailer reported sales of £59.5 million for the week to 19 January, an increase of 6.7 per cent compared with the same period last year, but well below the 12.7 per cent growth seen during the previous week.

Simon Russell, director of retail operations development, said: “Underlying trade remained very strong and we were up 15 per cent going into Friday. However, our momentum chilled somewhat as the first significant fall of snow in almost a year hit Wales and much of England.”

The firm’s Glasgow stores was its best performer, with sales up 9.2 per cent, but Aberdeen only managed a 0.7 per cent increase and sales at its Edinburgh branch were down 1 per cent.

Russell added: “As our financial year comes to an end this week, partners can look back with real pride at a year that has delivered sound growth, despite a retail environment that has brought plenty of challenges and change for retail.”