John Lewis’ Glasgow store leads the way in Scotland

The John Lewis branch in Glasgow was its only store in Scotland to grow sales last week. Picture: Stuart Reynolds/Rex Features

Department store chain John Lewis today said its Glasgow store was its only one in Scotland to deliver higher sales last week.

The employee-owned retailer said takings at the Buchanan Galleries branch were 3.2 per cent higher in the week ending 31 October than the same period last year.

In sharp contrast, sales at its Aberdeen store – its worst performer north of the Border – were down 15.2 per cent, while Edinburgh witnessed a decline of 6.5 per cent.

Overall, sales at John Lewis grew 5.6 per cent last week, despite the unseasonably mild weather across much of the UK.

Trade director Mark Felix said: “We are now into November and our focus truly turns to Christmas. Our customers are starting to get into the spirit, with online searches for advent calendars last week up 219 per cent against last year.

“This is when it gets exciting for both customers and partners. We can all play our part by providing our customers with unforgettable shopping experiences at this unique time of year.”

At upmarket grocer Waitrose, also owned by the John Lewis Partnership, total sales excluding fuel were up 1.4 per cent year-on-year.

John Lewis also launched its keenly-anticipated Christmas advert today, having partnered with Age UK with a reminder to consumers to think about people who will be alone this year.

The full two-minute ad – set to the Oasis track, Half The World Away, recorded by Norwegian artist Aurora – features the story of a young girl named Lily as she strikes up a connection with an elderly man who she spies through her telescope living alone on the moon. She sets out to wish him a merry Christmas, finally succeeding by sending up the present of a telescope of his own tied to a bunch of balloons.