John Lewis sales rise
John Lewis sales boosted by sun, mum, and iPads Kendal Gapinski
John Lewis reported that last week’s volume of trade was a March record due to sunny weather, Mother’s Day, and the launch of the new iPad. Its sales jumped 20.9 per cent year-on-year to £63.1m.
Britain’s biggest department store chain said that a sales growth of 53 per cent in its electricals and home technology division reflected the launch of Apple’s iPad.
“The robust John Lewis sales for the past couple of weeks boost hopes that consumers are perking up having apparently taken a breather in February after decent discount-fuelled spending over December and early January,” said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight.
Waitrose, owned by John Lewis, also had sales rise in the week to 17 March by 12 per cent to £108.9m.