Sun shines on John Lewis

JOHN Lewis today announced department store sales for the nine weeks to March 30 were up 5.7%, Sales at its Waitrose supermarkets increased 7.1% and total sales were up 6.6%.

John Lewis' estimate of department store sales for the half-year as a whole is an increase of 9% on the same period last year, with Waitrose sales up 7.1% and total sales up 6%.

In the week to March 30 sales at its department stores were down 1.5%, while sales at Waitrose were up 22.3%. Total sales increased 11.3%. The figures were distorted by Easter falling two weeks earlier than last year.

Gareth Thomas, director of selling, department stores, said in addition to Easter the other strong influence on trading last week was the fine weather. 'All of those ranges that had to do with outdoor living sold in volume,' he said.

The weather also boosted trade at Waitrose, particularly stores on the south-coast and other holiday destinations. Sales of Easter eggs were described as 'very good'.