Gadgets galore as weekly sales nudge higher at John Lewis

Department store chain John Lewis said yesterday that its sales rose 3 per cent year-on-year in the week to last Saturday, driven by strong demand for technology goods.

As Christmas approaches, retail giant John Lewis has reported that its sales rose 3 per cent last week. Picture: Julie Bell

The employee-owned retailer said takings totalled £155.2 million. Sales in the electricals and home technology division charged up 7.7 per cent, while the homewares department enjoyed a 2.9 per cent rise.

However, fashion sales dipped 0.4 per cent, reflecting some unseasonably mild weather.

A store-by-store breakdown revealed another weak performance for the group’s Aberdeen branch, with sales down by 15 per cent as the city’s retail sector struggles with weaker oil-related activity. Edinburgh fell 5.5 per cent and Glasgow dipped 2 per cent.