John Lewis’ sales growth slowed after the UK voted to leave the European Union
John Lewis' sales growth slowed down in the week after the UK voted to leave the European Union, according to figures released by the company today.
The department store's sales were 2.1 per cent higher than a year ago, at £90.8m, having climbed 7.3 per cent the week before when it started its summer sale. The company kicked-off its sale a week earlier than it had done the year before to pull in shoppers.
The company said: "Summer clearance continued to attract customers into John Lewis shops and the cooler weather also played its part, with last week competing with 35C temperatures during the same week in 2015."
Waitrose's sales were down 2.8 per cent during the week compared to the same period last year, having been down 0.7 per cent the week before the EU referendum took place.
On the John Lewis Partnership's food sales, the company said: "A year-on-year decrease was expected as the equivalent week was one of the sunniest of 2015.
"The past week's wet weather boosted sales of our casual dining and 'grazing' areas in our shops, which include wine and tapas bars, sushi counters and juice bars. Sales last week were 50 per cent higher than last year."
Umbrella sales were boosted by 150 per cent.