Retailer John Lewis has revealed that sales have risen sharply recently, providing some encouragement as the critical Christmas season gets underway.
The chain announced in a statement issued on Thursday that sales were up by 10.5 per cent year-on-year during the four days ending on November 30, with a particularly strong showing in its beauty, gifting, fashion and home ranges. Sales of kitchen mixers, for example, surged by 35 per cent.
However, Britain was of course in the grip of an exceptionally cold spell towards the end of November 2010, and the poor weather conditions made for a particularly soft comparison with the same point in 2011. Nevertheless, John Lewis remains upbeat about its showing as the busiest shopping spell of the year reaches its climax.
“Trade this week is strong as shoppers continue to prepare their homes ahead of the arrival of guests and look forward to the start of the festive party season,” said the company’s director of selling operations Nat Lewis. “Customers are well in the mood for Christmas at the start of December.”
The recent Intersperience Christmas Shopping Survey indicated that shoppers are increasingly looking to buy all their festive gifts sooner in the hope of unearthing bargains.
